2 comments about Stand Still Like the Hummingbird.

1. These highly readable pieces reflect the incredible vitality and variety of interests of the writer who extended the frontiers of modern literature. If you think the New Thought movement has some Ancient Wisdom roots, you will enjoy this collection of stories and essays. If you have read, even occasionally, Henry David (Thoreau), Ralph Waldo (Emerson), Uncle Walt (Whitman), this volume is for you. Henry Miller says nothing here either more offensive or less insightful than these three Transcendentalists who lived before him.

   Miller's genius for comedy is at its best in "Money and How It Gets That Way"-a tongue-in-cheek parody of "economics" provoked by a postcard from Ezra Pound which asked if he had "ever thought about money." Stand Still Like the Hummingbird provides a right and perfect metaphor for this outstanding collection, one of Henry's Miller's most luminous statements of his personal philosophy of life. Much of this book, while previously published, appeared only in foreign magazines or in small limited editions which have gone out of print.

   If you're an artist (starving or successful), you'll appreciate Miller's deep concern for the role of artist in society, in "An Open Letter to All and Sundry," and in "The Angel Is My Watermark." If you're a writer (struggling to be or already published), you'll find inspiration in words like these, scattered like gemstones--generous and true-throughout these pages: "...when you are convinced that all the exits are blocked, either you take to believing in miracles or you stand still like the hummingbird. The miracle is that the honey is always there, right under your nose, only you were too busy searching elsewhere to realize it. The worst is not death but being blind, blind to the fact that everything about life is in the nature of the miraculous." In short, there is much for many: timeless wisdom, not only for us still living "in this world," but also for us, who, like Henry Miller, have always suspected we are "not of this world."




2. In this book, Miller presents a series of essays of various topics, including his friends, other artists, and Miller's social concerns. The longest piece is "Money and how it gets that way". Of course, this piece is written with subtle sarcasm throughout. Although the longest piece of the book, it doesnt stand out as the best, and in fact, doesnt seem to fit in with the rest of the essays. In the other essays, Miller demonstrates his ability to exploit what is powerful and life-affirming, laughing off all that is refined, petty, and weak. This comes out especially in the essays on fellow writers. There is an essay on Thoreau, Miller writes: "He found Walden, but Walden is everywhere if man is there". It is this sort of formula that is constant throughout both "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird" and the rest of Miller's work: There is something positive and life-affirming everywhere so long as one is alive, it is only a matter of recognizing the greatness of life itself. Although not naively bashing all forms of technology, Miller urges us in "The Hour of Man" to take the time to return the basics and discover not technology, but ourselves, our families, and our friends. As Miller explores that which affirms life, he also takes the time to present piercing criticisms directed at those who are petty, controlling, and all too caught up in the rat-race; for example, he writes: "What, moreover, can you call your own? The house you live in, the food you swallow, the clothes you wear-you neither built the house nor raised the food nor made the clothes. The same goes for your ideas. You moved into them ready-made". This passage is indicative of Miller's insistance on creation and his general emphasis on overabundance and embracing the brilliance of nature and life as opposed to trying to control it. In "Tropic of Cancer", Miller writes that he "loves everything that flows", and one gets the impression that according to Miller, everything flows. Thus, the formula in "Stand Still Like a Hummingbird" can be summed up by saying that rather than try to stop these great flows of life, we should flow with them and embrace their power. Overall, this book is enjoyable, intelligent; yet, for a book of personal philosophy, rarely preaches morality and is never sentimental.

5 comments about The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World.

1. Clements is the bible of bird taxonomy, but this book is basically just a list of every species with sublists of each subspecies, and very basic information as to where that subspecies is located. I was disappointed that there is no summary of changes from this 6th edition from the prior edition, although I assume this information will eventually be available on-line somewhere. This is a book that lots of very serious birders know they want, and they should get it. But if you don't know exactly what this book is already and know that you want it, you probably don't.



2. I will divide in what I find good and not so good of this book .
   Good:
   the size ,with 28,5 & 22 cm it's a lot bigger than the Howard + Moore and Sibley + Monroe books , which leaves a lot of space to make your notes inside the book ,like I do ,
   very good binding and of course the complete listing of all the bird species and subspecies .
   Not so good :
   the splitting into species goes in my opinion a little to far ,especially by the Australian species .
   Bad :
   some species of the checklist are also listed as subspecies by species from which they were split ,with a little proofreading this could have been avoided .
   For the price amazon is asking ,this book is a must if you want a checklist of the birds of the world .



3. This book gave me all the info I needed on the various bird species I was researching. Current species and subspecies nomenclature, range of each subspecies, etc. Couldn't ask for a more precise and complete book.



4. As it was very hard to find a comprehensive book on birds for any price, I got this one for 38 bucks, no big money, but the book is clearly not a success. ...ror the ornithology students or the library in zoological university. That is as plain as it is.



5. Several years ago I had an epiphany as a bird lover, and stopped keeping my Life List. For several years before that I was an avid bird lister. Clements was always at hand, at home or on the trail or on trips. I still read that well used copy from time to time, filled with my notes and filled with memories.
   
   Jim Clement's checklist was first published in 1972. The 6th edition was published in 2007, and includes new updates through the end of 2005, listing over 9800 species in all. The checklist is clearly organized and easy to use. Chapters are by species, with the entries arranged alphabetically by common name. Each bird's entry includes its common name, Latin name or names, habitat range, a box to check, and a line to make notes of where and when the bird was spotted.
   
   Two indexes are provided, one of scientific names and one of common English names. There are also a list of extinct species, appendices and maps listing the distribution of bird species and endemics, major family references, and a very comprehensive bibliography.
   
   The checklist is continually updated by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. The updates are posted to the Lab's website on a somewhat erratic basis and will eventually be incorporated into the next edition of The Clements Checklist. Amazon doesn't permit a direct link to the update website; to surf there, Google on "cornell lab ornithology clements" to get to the update page. You will also find links to software to help you move your list from the 5th edition.
   
   Unless you are a serious birder, it is hard to understand how important this book is and how hard it is to maintain and update. Check out the Preface here on Amazon to get an idea of the difficulties.
   
   And, if you have any interest in birds, consider becoming a member of the Lab. My sales pitch appears in the first Comment.
   
   
   Robert C. Ross 2008

2 comments about The Bird-Friendly Backyard: Natural Gardening for Birds : Simple Ways to Create a Bird Haven (Rodale Organic Gardening Book).

1. Gardeners who want their gardens to appear as a welcome mat for birds will find Natural Gardening For Birds provides basic tips on how to lay out a garden rich with food, water, and shelter for birds. Especially intriguing are the various charts showing the bird-friendly features of specific types of regional plants ranging from hedgerows to wildflowers, and making it easy for even novice gardeners to pair desired birds with desired gardens.



2. I have to admit, I was surprised to see the emphasis on native plants and was so glad I did. In past books by Rodale Press they didn't pay attention to this and it really bothered me. This book is great though- it talks to all sorts of different needs of birds - from nesting areas to food/water. It has lots and lots of fun facts about birds and their lifestyles/needs and info on feeders. And of course its packed with all sorts of great gardening ideas (bushes, hedgerows, "weeds", benefits of leaf piles, etc). Attention is given to different regions of the country as well. Super book for any bird lover!!

2 comments about Living With Peacocks.

1. This book gave me a deeper understanding about peacocks, and how to capture them and turn them into pets. Since reading this book, I've captured 7 peacocks, and have kept them all as pets. (Recently though, I released all 7 peacocks because I got tired of them. Peacocks live boring lives when in captivity.)
   
   If you enjoy peacocks, and want to know about turning peacocks into pets, this book is for you.



2. It's more of a booklet than a book, since it only has 41 pages, and much of the information is repeated, but still, I like the book.
   
   I'm still trying to decide if I want to make the commitment to get a few peacocks and this little book is helping me to be as educated as I can about owning the unique and beautiful birds.

5 comments about Birds of Arizona Field Guide.

1. The author's tips train you to look for traits that are helpful in identifying the bird quickly and easily in the guide. He describes behaviors that are often as helpful as the good photos in identifying what you have seen, even after it's flown away. Highly recommend this book for use in AZ.



2. Provides a good description of the birds it covers, but does not include many birds that are part-time visitors from Mexico.
   For example, in southeastern Arizona, we have 13 species of hummingbirds visit every year. The book lists four.
   The Hooded Oriole is common in southeastern Arizona, but is not found in the book.



3. I was not familiar with the birds of Arizona. We hired a jeep tour and went through the area using the guide as our only source. The book identified the birds quickly and easily.



4. This book is very informative about the various birds of Arizona. The photos are great and it is one of the better books on the birds of the area that I have seen.



5. I live in Phoenix (central AZ). I've just gotten beyond the totally novice birdwatcher and found that this book does not cover some of the species I see quite frequently such as the ash-throated and brown-crested flycatchers, great egret and bushtit (as well as the hummingbirds mentioned in another post - rufous and allens being two I have seen). It's also missing some less common birds I see in my local area: canvasback, blue-grey gnatcatcher, eared grebe. However, I do use the book in combination with other guides such as the SIbley Guide to Birds (best reference) and the Petersen Field Guide "Western Birds".

3 comments about Cornell Lab of Ornithology Handbook of Bird Biology.

1. I recently purchased the new "Handbook of Bird Biology" (hereafter, HBB) and would like to share my views of it. Published by Princeton University Press, this massive volume is a tour de force from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. I have taught university classes in ornithology for the past several years using Gill's "Ornithology" and Proctor & Lynch's "Manual of Ornithology" (both outstanding books), so I spent some time comparing HBB to these works. HBB consistently exceeded my expectations. It routinely (although not invariably) provided more details than Gill or Proctor & Lynch, and it also included topics that the other books omit. These topics (e.g. selecting binoculars, FAQs about backyard bird feeders) were typically geared more towards birding than towards classroom-based ornithology. Indeed, this was one of the main objectives of the Cornell Lab in compiling this book, to appeal to birders and not simply to students of ornithology. For example, the book includes a CD of various bird sounds (nothing that will replace proper "birding by ear" song/call guides, but useful for illustrative purposes). However, HBB is not light reading in any sense of the word. Weighing in at nearly seven pounds, it represents the proverbial "too much information" for casual birders. In addition, the book is costly (approximately $95 + tax, but that is still cheaper than purchasing even used copies of both Gill and Proctor & Lynch). It is not without its copy-editing flaws (particularly in figure captions). Its figures are solely in black-and-white (a major disappointment for me--try explaining structural colors without color examples), and many figures are taken directly from Gill or Proctor & Lynch (appropriately credited). The copy I bought (through Amazona) was missing its sound CD (sent to me by Princeton U.P. after I alerted them). The chapters are written by various authors, with little stylistic continuity (e.g. active voice in some chapters, passive in others).
   
   These negatives do not take the luster off of a highly recommended book. If you are interested in birds but do not own an ornithology textbook, you really owe it to yourself to invest in one. I will likely require HBB instead of Gill and Proctor & Lynch in my future ornithology classes. The "Handbook of Bird Biology" will be a single source for valuable and fascinating information for years to come.



2. The folks at Cornell have done it again. This is a huge book, packed full of information, but it is also a joy to read. Even though it supplies plenty of the "encyclopedic" material, it's a bit reminiscent of David Attenborough's "Life of Birds" DVD, in that it highlight some of the "gee-whiz" aspects of birds, such as egg mimicry, artistic bower construction, lymphatic penises in ducks, and so forth. There was a surprising section on nocturnal birding by ear, which I had never seen addressed. They seem to have covered every topic and then some.
   If you have only a casual interest in birds, this book may be overkill, but if you are a birder or ornithology student I'm sure you'll enjoy deepening your appreciation and understanding of birds with the help of this book.



3. This is a good compendium of ornithology. It contains general information on bird biology, however it is to general for university teaching. Probably it should be used together with Gill's "Ornithology".

5 comments about The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession.

1. An awesome book. It took recommendations from several friends before I finally decided to give this book a try. The subject matter seemed so uninteresting to me.
   
   When you're wrong, you're wrong, and I was totally off base on this one. It was fascinating from start to finish. What I realise now is that books like this one, which document someone's obsession (doesn't have to be the author's) often turn out to be completely engrossing, if the author (as Obmascik does) succeeds in conveying the inherent excitement in a topic that gave rise to the obsession in the first place.
   
   Never thought I would say it about a book related to birding, but I just cannot give this book a high enough recommendation.



2. If you enjoyed Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder, Wild America: The Record of a 30,000 Mile Journey Around the Continent by a Distinguished Naturalist and His British Colleague or anything by Scott Weidensaul, you'll enjoy Obmascik's account of an unlikely collection of birders bent on breaking records.
   
   The concept of the Big Year is pretty simple: see as many birds as possible. Since its inception, this simple concept has ballooned into a circus of maxed out credit cards, exorbitant helicopter flights and boat rides, visits to dumps on the Mexican border, and Christmas dinners in isolated Chinese restaurants. This book chronicles three competitors and their attempts at Birdwatching glory: Sandy Komito (the hardcore favorite, record-holding former construction worker), Greg Miller (the longshot computer programmer, working with limited resources) and Al Levantin (the rich, passionate retired chemical company tycoon).
   
   As I see it, this book has two real strengths:
   
   1.) For those of us who dream of dropping everything, getting in a car with a pair of binoculars and seeing all the birds that had previously only been pictures in field guides, this book is both fulfilling and inspiring. Fulfilling, in that at the end of a long day, its a passable substitute for having the time to actually go out and see the rare birds. Inspiring, in its affirmation that anybody--even you--can do it, as long as you're willing to sacrifice.
   
   2.) The subjects of the story are developed into character so nicely in journalistic prose. You'll learn to root for the underdog, respect their sacrifice, and pity all of them for their clinically obsessive behavior.
   
   I'd encourage anyone interested in adventure or birding to read this book. You won't be disappointed, and probably won't be able to put it down.



3. "The Big Year" is an amazing, amusing, suspenseful read about competing birders. Who would've thought that birdwatching could be so cutthroat, and so FUN?
   
   It traces the adventures of three men- Sandy Komito (whose achievements are astounding in the birding world), the chemist Al Levantin, and software expert Greg Miller. They sacrifice a year of their lives to find as many birds as possible. Komito is in it to break records. Levantin is looking for a new way to live his retirement. Miller is recovering from a nasty divorce. In the Big Year, they find adventure, birds, and themselves. They travel in the Rockies, the Florida wilderness, remote parts of Nevada--- it's great as a quest story.
   
   "Big Year" is exuberant nature writing. Like the blackbird in the Beatles song, read this and take flight!



4. The topic of the "big year" is really quite compelling, and I thought this book would take its place on my shelf right next to The Orchid Thief, in the section reserved for obsessives who focus solely on one aspect of the natural world and seek that single thing with complete devotion. Unfortunately, the writing in this book is nowhere near the quality of The Orchid Thief, and doesn't deserve a spot on my shelf at all. First, the good things: The three birders featured are exactly right for the book. The author sort of succeeded in teaching the reader about birds, their environment, and birding. (He's about 70 percent there.) Most importantly, he clearly explains why 1998 is the year that MUST be covered, even though it was a decade ago.
   
   But the writing! He needs to learn how to describe an animal without using ANY references to pop culture. He needs to understand that in a book about birding, the reader does NOT want constant references to media and commercialization.
   
   Here are specific examples of bad writing that distracted me so much I almost didn't finish the book:
   
   1. The pygmy owl "weighed less than a pack of cigarettes." Is the author a heavy smoker with no concept of the fact that most nature lovers (his market for the book) think smoking is disgusting? It's especially disgusting in nature. Now he has combined, in my mind, the image of a cute little owl in a tree with a rude creep blowing smoke next to the owl's tree, with a disgusting, overflowing ash tray next to him. There are SO many other, far less distasteful, ways to describe the owl's weight.
   
   2. "...the keel-billed toucan, that screeching, big-honkered bird made famous by Froot Loops." I almost threw the book across the room right here. I am mortally offended that the author thinks I, or anybody else who would buy this book, might not remember what a toucan is without a crass comparison to a stupid commercial for a repulsive product that nobody should be eating anyway. This is a book about BIRDS. I really, really don't want to be reminded of commercials! And everybody buying this book knows what a toucan is! Don't worry, we're not complete idiots! Also, the word "honker" is unnecessarily disrespectful. Toucans have beautiful and correctly sized beaks, and there is no need to use a disparaging, fifth-grade insult such as "honker." Things like this make me think the author doesn't like birds. That is a serious problem for an author writing a birding book.
   
   3. "The yellow rail was the Greta Garbo of the bird world." This means nothing to me. I know she was a movie star (1950s? `60s? `40s?), but that's the extent of my knowledge. That is the crux of the problem. When an author relies on constant references to outdated movie stars to explain a concept, he leaves behind all the readers who don't share his media obsession. Five sentences later, "the yellow rail would never win any Miss Congeniality contests." Is this an unnecessary reference to that stupid movie years ago by the same name? Or is the author being mean and insulting to birds again?
   
   4. "Maybe this really was a Bud Light commercial." Please leave all the commercials out of the birding book! Likewise, please note: brand names cheapen a book, they don't add "authenticity" or "flavor" or whatever it is that some inexperienced teachers call it in their writing classes. The following brand-name plugs all insulted me in the short space of just ten pages: Snickers, Wal-Mart, Spam, Wonder Bread, Jif peanut butter, Lipton, Mr. Salty pretzels. And if that's not bad enough, I later suffered this, probably the worst sentence in the entire book, or any other book I've read in the last year: "Miller clicked his Netscape Navigator back over to www.travelocity.com."
   
   5. The bird was "...as tall as a Coke can but without the fizz." With regard to comparing a bird to junk food, I'm thinking again that the author doesn't really respect birds. With regard to putting in a plug for Coke, see #4. With regard to "the fizz," I have no idea what the author is trying to say. That completely mystifies me.
   
   6. "He wasn't supposed to feel like Evel Knievel every time a bill came due." What the hell?!
   
   I was particularly disappointed because there's actually a great deal of potential for this book due to its subject matter and characters. If I could have offered advice prior to its publication, it would have been this: The author should first decide whether or not he loves birds. If so, he should show that in his writing. Then, he should remove every movie star, media reference, and brand name. He should add more background information on specific birds and their environment. He should provide the American Birding Association's list of rules for the Big Year (I was wondering about this throughout the entire book). He should read The Orchid Thief and learn from it. Then, this would be a fabulous book!



5. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. Obmascik weaves the story of 3 Big Year competitors with history and science, while injecting shots of humor and profundity throughout. I couldn't put this book down.

4 comments about Under His Wings: What I Learned from God While Watching Birds.

1. I enjoyed this book of devotions soooooo much. They were nice and short so I could treat myself different times throughout the day when I needed a lift. It is a wonderful reminder that God has things to teach us all through-out our day..not just 'scheduled' times that we allow him into our busy lives. The book is beautiful enough to be given as a special gift but should also be a must-read devotional for all.



2. I have a new devotional, and it's such an inviting and, well, cozy book. And the idea is so simple, yet so unique. Under His Wings, by Joy DeKok and Cristine Bolley, is a devotional with stories about birds!
   
   The authors, through biblical truths and the collection of bird stories, remind us that like the sparrows in the sky, God will keep us safe and provide for our needs because we're His children.
   
   The authors offer an illustration of God teaching us in their stories. Following each story they give three points to ponder:
   
   The Bird Feeder is a bit of wisdom to think about while pondering the story.
   The Birdbath section is the biblical truth of God's word and God's promises.
   The Birdhouse section reminds us that prayer is the answer and helps us apply the lesson's truth.
   Finally, a bonus: For The Birds is a section of practical tips about the birds themselves.
   
   I especially enjoyed the following stories: Attempted Break-In (which reminds us that our conclusions are not always true), A Lesson in Love (a lesson in deep and abiding love), Cleaning House (which is not what you think), Goldie (the story I needed to hear), and Scout (a reminder that we can all use).
   
   This is a great book to read and reread. It makes for a gentle way to begin each day.



3. Simply delightful. A series of short essays, mostly personal anecdotes, in which the authors share their experiences of watching birds and drawing spiritual lessons from doing so. Each essay is followed by some practical advice for fellow birdwatchers.
   
   Not preachy (at least not overly so). Down-to-earth and heartwarming. Unless you absolutely can't stand to hear the Evangelical Christian viewpoint, if you're a birdwatcher you'll enjoy this little gift book.



4. Joy DeKok has spent a lifetime worshipping God and watching birds. In this little book she combines the two into a delightful devotional. Each entry features an experience which the author has had with a particular kind of bird and what she has learned about God from that experience. There are also Scripture verses and tips on taking care of wild birds at the end of each section. This is a lovely book for birders, birdwatchers, and all who enjoy God's creation.

5 comments about Birding Northern California.

1. With the passion of a life-long birder and the precision of a former professor of engineering, John Kemper has written an exceptional, new site guide for northern California. Detailed information is given for 81 major locations from the Oregon border through Monterey, King, and Tulare counties plus the Kern River Valley in Kern County; Mono County and the White Mountains are included on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada

   The book focuses on species of interest by listing "specialty birds" and "other key birds" at the beginning of each location description. Specialty birds include uncommon to abundant birds found primarily in the western United States, endangered or threatened species, and rare birds if the site is among the best for the bird. The text describes when, where, and how to the find the birds at each site, and this information was personally verified by John during two years of fieldwork preparing the book. Range maps and bar charts at the back of the book are cross-referenced to the best sites for each species and the time of year when each species occurs in different regions of the state. Readers will appreciate the easily readable, detailed maps and the clearly written site descriptions. Novices, long-time California birders, and birders from out of state planning their first or 100th trip to the state, will find the information needed to find the birds of interest to them and to plan successful birding trips.




2. I ordered this for use in my daughter's 6th grade science class in Oakland. Unfortunately, it contains no photographs of the birds--only text descriptions of viewing locations. So it's not useful as an identification guide. The general description should clearly state this. JM



3. I've used the guide to help plan three birding trips so far and found it to be an asset in preparing for the trip (e.g., understanding the location, what species to expect, and best time to go). Upon arrival at the site, I found myself using a field guide like NGS's Field Guide to Birds of North America almost exclusively to help sight and identify the birds.

   Birding Northern California is not suitable as a true field guide since it lacks detailed graphics or photos of the close to 600 species that can be found here. While using the book, I also found the book to be "too wordy" to use as a reference. For instance, to find the best location in Northern California to view a Ross's Goose in December, you would need to browse a good chunk of the book before finding a spot (and it might not be the best location). Later I discovered handy reference information in the very back of the text (e.g., Chapter 7 provides a breakdown of "specialty birds" throughout the area with their respective ranges mapped for winter and summer). FYI - the Ross's Goose is included in Chapter 7 with the key sites. The last chapter of the book provides a complete listing, including specialty and more common birds, with a geographic region and month of the year to look for the bird.

   Given the room for improvement in the book's organization, I would encourage the publisher/author to produce a 2nd edition. The ideal improvement would be to include a CDROM that structures the information by bird species (hey, a photo would be nice), the locations where the bird can be found with a relative ranking, the time of year (again with some form of ranking). Including a CD would also allow the reader to search over the information by species or location.




4. This book was better than what I had expected. I am getting ready to order several more for birding friends. I was not under the impression that is was an identification guide when I first bought the book and it isn't. But, it does tell me what to study before I travel to the very descriptive destinations.
   
   I cannot wait for the weekend to try birding in another area close to home.
   
   Thank-you John Kemper for a thorough guide book.



5. - Compliments to a Norcal birding field guide
   Found it very handy
   Areas to improve
   - Verbose format could be improved and turned more concise (tables, possibly more thumbnails and less free text) with possibly better indexing of birds vs spots to find them.

5 comments about A Field Guide to Advanced Birding: Birding Challenges and How to ApproachThem (Peterson Field Guides (R)).

1. This book is appropriate for anyone who wants to improve his bird identification skills, whether he is already "advanced" or not. Kaufman does an excellent job detailing how to go about identifying birds in many problem groups, such as accipiters, dowitchers, and fall warblers. In some cases the information amounts to helpful hints that will make identification a little easier (did you know that the nail on a Greater Scaup's bill is substantially larger than that on a Lesser Scaup's?). In others, the information is a practical necessity if you ever plan on unraveling the species in question (if you're trying to identify a Thayer's Gull without this or some even more esoteric work, forget it).

   My only quarrel with this book is that Kaufman sometimes places more emphasis on small field marks, and less on overall shape and other amorphous characteristics ("jizz," to the Brits), than I think appropriate. Otherwise, darned close to perfect.




2. This book rocks the house



3. I bought this book and the contents are very helpful in identifying birds. The problem is it has the information duplicated from pages 145 to 176, skipping from page 112. I have tried to exchange it with another one, but it had the same problem. I tried to do that for the third time, and now I am waiting for it. I hope it arrives with all the pages and no duplications.



4. This is a great book for serious birders. It contains a great amount of important information that is well organized and helpful. This is a technical book that I would not recommend for the beginner, however, I found it practical in its structure and content.

   I strongly recommend this book. I held back from awarding a full five stars because I felt that their illustrations lacked a little "life" although experienced birders will probably not find this to be a problem.




5. I have quite a few birding books and have been birding for 30+ years. I feel that this book has been a key for improving my skills, more than any of the other books with the exception of the new Sibley guide and perhaps the old out of print "The Western Birdwatcher" by Zimmerman.
   
   Kuaffman's books taught me some key points that I still employ when checking the scaups, dowitchers, gulls and looking for Western Sandpipers among other difficult identifications. His succinct descriptions and comparitive sketches make it much more possible to know how to identify a juvenile Western Sandpiper as opposed to a Semipalmated Sandpiper. I found that I would often go back to this book rather than the other shorebird books I had. Another key section in the book is the coverage of identification tips for the Terns. I had always found it difficult to separate Forster's and Common in the field despite the seemingly easy differences in field guides. This book helped out with good wing pattern comparisons and other marks that were not included in the guides. The pattern drawings of the Terns and Shorebirds alone are worth the cost of the book.
   
   If you are ready to start on Iceland and Thayer's Gull or Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds you can't go wrong by getting Kauffman's Advanced Birding.