New Titles

1) Bauer, Aaron M.. Geckos: The Animal Answer Guide. 2013. Johns Hopkins University Press. Paperback: 159 pages. Price: $26.95 U.S.

SUMMARY: Discover the biology, natural history, and diversity of geckos—the acrobatic little lizards made famous by a car insurance ad campaign. Lizard biologist and gecko expert Aaron Bauer answers deceptively simple questions with surprising and little-known facts. Readers can explore color photographs that reveal the natural wonder and beauty of the gecko form and are further informed by images of how geckos live in their natural habitats. Although written for nonexperts, Geckos also provides a carefully selected bibliography and a new list of all known species that will be of interest to herpetologists. Anyone who owns a gecko, has seen them in the wild, or has wondered about them will appreciate this gem of a book.
RECOMMENDATION: A good general introduction to the geckos.

2) Norman, Geoff. Buller's Birds of New Zealand: The Complete Work of JG Keulemans. 2012. Te Papa Press. Hardbound Folio in slipcase: 246 pages. Price: £99.99 / $125.00 U.S.
SUMMARY: Buller’s Birds of New Zealand includes the complete set of 95 artworks from both editions of A History of the Birds of New Zealand by Walter Buller and the subsequent supplement, specially photographed and reproduced at original size and in full colour using high quality modern printing techniques. Each bird painting is accompanied by a selection of Buller’s original, descriptive text as well as up-to-date taxonomic information in English and te reo Māori.
     Uniquely, Buller’s Birds of New Zealand features fresh reproductions of the original watercolour-and-pencil paintings for Buller’s iconic second edition and its supplement, made possible by the author’s rediscovery of these works at the Ornithological Branch of the British Natural History Museum. Bright, luminous and clear, Keulemans’ masterpieces are seen here for the first time as the artist intended.
     Bound in cloth and beautifully presented in a slipcase, this edition at last makes available the masterpieces inside the rarely seen, and highly valued, original books.
RECOMMENDATION: A MUST have for those with an interest in the birds of New Zealand or are interested in bird art. The book is available here: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapaPress/FullCatalogue/NaturalHistory/Pages/BullersBirdsofNewZealand.aspx