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Library Journal Review

Twenty-nine experts have covered all aspects of avian biology in this fact-filled and up-to-date text-like treatise. Edited for consistency of style, all sections are commendably accessible to the novice. Unlike Facts on File's The Encyclopedia of Birds (LJ 9/15/85), which is mainly a survey of bird families, this book covers bird anatomy, physiology, reproduction, evolution, behavior, migration, ecology, conservation, and more. Top quality photographs, diagrams, charts, and maps complement the text and inserted information panels highlight topics of special interest. This is the best available single volume on this topic, invaluable for the enthusiast and fascinating to the browser. Highly recommended for general collections. See also The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds , reviewed on p. 134.--Ed.-- Frank Reiser, Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, N.Y. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

School Library Journal Review

YA-- Chapters in this excellent and comprehensive volume will answer hundreds of reference questions on all aspects of anatomy, flight, daily activities, distribution, migration and navigation, breeding, and conservation. Ornithologists, chiefly from the British Isles, have contributed signed articles that incorporate recent research in this readable and beautiful book. Clearly detailed scientific drawings, charts, or full-color photographs on every spread provide additional information. This is not a field guide for identification. However, it includes a survey of the orders of birds around the world that gives details about the families into which modern birds are divided. Indexes to scientific and common names, a subject index, and a glossary make this title useful for students. A reading list for further study is included. This resource will support biology courses, science projects, and the individual interests of YAs.-- Betta Hedlund, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Brooke and Birkhead, British university professors, and 39 other experts have contributed to this lavishly illustrated book. After the introductory chapter, there are chapters on bird anatomy, physiology, and movement; birds ancient and modern; daily activities of birds; bird distribution, migration, and navigation; bird populations, breeding, and behavior; and people and birds. This lengthy section is followed by a list of ornithological organizations, a section of ornithological terms explained, references for further reading, a list of acknowledgements, and three indexes: scientific names, common names, and subjects. The photographs, sketches, maps, and graphs are superb. A complete and well-organized study of the world of birds, recommended for all libraries.-C. J. Pollard, Los Angeles Unified School District

Booklist Review

How does a migrating bird find its winter home? Why do seabirds lay few eggs? What is the earliest bird in the fossil record? The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Ornithology surveys many such questions and provides interesting, easily understood answers. Written predominantly by British ornithologists, it emphasizes such topics as natural selection, flight, roosting, and population rather than descriptive summaries on individual birds. A survey of modern birds is included but only briefly describes birds by taxonomic category at the family level. While information varies between entries in this survey, most entries emphasize general anatomical descriptions, diet, and reproduction. The work also includes appendixes of ornithological terms and international ornithological organizations listed by country. The encyclopedia is organized into eleven chapters such as "Anatomy and Physiology," "Movement," "Daily Activities of Birds," and "People and Birds." Both the table of contents and the index are detailed, accurate, and easy to use. The book is indexed by scientific name, common name, illustration, and subject. Illustrations include a variety of drawings, maps, diagrams, and color photographs. A single, representative black-and-white drawing accompanies entries for each family described in the survey of modern birds. References for further reading are outlined by chapter as an appendix to the encyclopedia. They are exclusively scientific monographs and journals that should be available in academic libraries. Authoritative, well presented, and clearly written, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Ornithology belongs in most academic libraries and many public libraries. It is not arranged for quick reference, so libraries may want to put it in the circulating collection. Its ecological and topical coverage complement books like The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds (Knopf, 1980), A Dictionary of Birds (Poyser, 1985), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds [RBB F 1 92], and the bird volumes of Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia (Van Nostrand, 1968). (Reviewed Mar. 1, 1992)