Birdbooker Report 56

tags: Birdbooker Report, bird books, animal books, natural history books, ecology books

The Birdbooker Report is a special weekly report of a wide variety of science, nature and behavior books that currently are, or soon will be available for purchase. This report is written by one of my Seattle birding pals and book collector, Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen, and is edited by me and published here for your information and enjoyment. Below the fold is this week's issue of The Birdbooker Report which lists ecology, environment, natural history and bird books that are (or will soon be) available for purchase.

FEATURED TITLE:

1. Konig, Claus and Friedhelm Weick. Owls of the World (2nd edition). 2009. Yale University Press. Hardbound: 528 pages. Price: $75.00 U.S. [Amazon: $54.00]. SUMMARY: This second edition has been revised to include 12 new species. It now has 72 color plates vs. the 64 color plates in the first edition. This book also includes taxonomic changes like dividing the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) into 9 species. A companion audio CD is due out later this Fall. Harry Potter fans and anyone else interested in owls will want this book!

New and Recent Titles:

1. Macdonald, David W. (editor). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals. 2009. Princeton University Press. Paperback: 936 pages. Price: $45.00 U.S. [Amazon: $29.70]. SUMMARY: This encyclopedia has been completely updated. It contains entries (of various length) on all 5096 species of mammals. It's also well illustrated with color photos and artwork. Those interested in mammals will find this book useful. GrrlScientist comment: Wow, this book sounds amazing! I know that I'd love to have a copy, and I know that I would have loved a copy of this book when I was a ten-year-old, too!
2. Perrins, Christopher (editor). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds. 2009. Princeton University Press. Paperback: 656 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S. [Amazon: $25.55]. SUMMARY: This encyclopedia covers birds down to the family level. The format is the same as the mammal encyclopedia listed above. This book will serve as a useful introduction into the birds of the world. GrrlScientist comment: As an ornithologist, I definitely want a copy of this book, and yes, I would have also wanted a copy when I was ten years old, too.
3. Wydoski, Richard S. and Richard R. Whitney. Inland Fishes of Washington (2nd edition). 2003. University of Washington Press. Hardbound: 322 pages. Price: $50.00 U.S. [Amazon: $50.00]. SUMMARY: This book has life history descriptions of all 91 freshwater fish species found in Washington State. It includes 113 color illustrations and 85 range maps for each fish in the state. Anyone with an interest in the fish of Washington State will want this book. GrrlScientist comment: Wow, another winner! Yes, this is a book I'd like to read, also!