Review of Birds of the Middle East: 2nd Edition
January 31, 2011
Article in: Book Reviews
Birds of the Middle East: Second Edition [Princeton Field Guides]
Over 130 additional species and sub-species have been added to the new edition bringing the total to over 850 species and sub-species. These are depicted in full color illustrations on 176 plates.
The guide uses the split-page approach (a change from the first edition) where text and range maps are on the left pages and species plates are on the right pages. The full-color plates highlight prominent field marks and show significant sub-species, winter plumages, and female plumages where applicable.
The text on the left covers common and scientific names, size, description, voice, and habitat. Key field identifiers are highlighted in bold italics for easy scanning. Color range maps round out the text.
Overall, Birds of the Middle East: Second Edition
Disclaimer: We received a free copy of this book from the publisher to review on Birdfreak.com.
Review of Birds of East Asia
March 28, 2009
Article in: Book Reviews
Birds of East Asia: China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Russia (Princeton Field Guides)
The color plates are less crowded than most field guides with large drawings. The plates are on the opposing page of the species data and maps, our preferred design for a useful guide. Over 950 maps display range and migration routes for the birds more likely to be encountered.
The beginning of the guide has a handy family key that provides a quick reference to unfamiliar groups of birds and aides in quickly finding the correct section of birds. An appendix provides a detailed (and a bit overwhelming) table of the status of the birds of east Asia. From a conservationist’s point-of-view, this is a wonderful addition to an already superb field guide.
Princeton University Press – $39.95 (paper) / $79.50 (cloth)
by Mark Brazil
Review of Birds of Eastern Africa and Birds of Southern Africa
March 25, 2009
Article in: Book Reviews
Birds of Eastern Africa: Updated Edition (Princeton Illustrated Checklists)
With only six pages of introductory text and limited space allowed for each species, the information in this guide is a bit lacking. But the 96 full color plates, beautifully illustrated by Ber van Perlo provide an excellent visual representation of a heck of a lot of birds. The range maps, which are shaded for frequency distribution, are split from the text and plates, which makes it more difficult than necessary to figure out which birds can be found where.
All in all, the Birds of Eastern Africa is a great resource but could definitely use a better layout and more information.
Princeton University Press
Birds of Southern Africa (Princeton Illustrated Checklists)
The region covered is Angola (including Cabinda), Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The range maps are shaded for frequency distribution, and although they are split from the main part of the guide, each is labeled with species name to improve usability. The overall text is a bit shortcoming, but overall both of these guides plus the Birds of Western and Central Africa (Princeton Illustrated Checklists)
Princeton University Press
