1) del Hoyo, Josep and Nigel J. Collar. HBW
and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the
World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. 2014. Lynx Edicions. Hardbound: 904
pages. Price: $259.00 U.S. NOTE: Lynx Edicions has extended the pre-publication price of about $195.00 U.S. at least to the end of August 2014.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: The first ever Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World is really two works in one. It is a complete checklist whose taxonomy incorporates the most up-to-date information and an exhaustive methodology (Tobias et al. 2010 [in the Ibis]) in an entirely systematic and consistent way. At the same time, it contains illustrations and distribution maps for every bird species in the world. This includes the original artwork from the HBW series, as well as hundreds of new illustrations, all in two compact volumes.
This book features:
357 color plates.
8,290 bird illustrations (including 242 new and 783 improved).
4,428 distribution maps.
34 full-page reference maps.
2,126 bibliographical references.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: The first ever Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World is really two works in one. It is a complete checklist whose taxonomy incorporates the most up-to-date information and an exhaustive methodology (Tobias et al. 2010 [in the Ibis]) in an entirely systematic and consistent way. At the same time, it contains illustrations and distribution maps for every bird species in the world. This includes the original artwork from the HBW series, as well as hundreds of new illustrations, all in two compact volumes.
This book features:
357 color plates.
8,290 bird illustrations (including 242 new and 783 improved).
4,428 distribution maps.
34 full-page reference maps.
2,126 bibliographical references.
RECOMMENDATION: A MUST have for anyone with a serious interest in birds! This title is a leading contender for the "Best Bird Book of 2014." You can order the book from Lynx here:
From Buteo Books here: www.buteobooks.com/product/HBWC1&affiliate=birdbooker.html
And from nhbs.com here: http://www.nhbs.com/hbw_and_birdlife_international_illustrated_checklist_of_the_tefno_189998.html
This is an ambitious work that has turned out to be a masterpiece as well as a work of science. It is obviously not meant to be a field guide, but it is much more than a checklist or a reference book. For each species it includes scientific names, common names, morphological illustrations, illustrated range maps, taxonomic notes, distribution text, and subspecies distribution when applicable. Ornithologists will love the scientific accuracy. Birders will love using it as a reference to see what they are missing from their wish list. Browsing through the pages are as inspirational as a photographic trip report. It is a stunning celebration of bird biodiversity. This work has my highest recommendation and my highest respect.
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