RECENT PUBLICATIONS

A Guide to Field Identification/Birds of North America. Revised edition. Chandler S. Robbins, Bertel Bruun, and Herbert S. Zim; illustrated by Arthur Singer. 1983. Golden Press, New York; Western Publishing Co., Racine, WI. 360 p. Hard cover $10.95, soft cover $7.95.

Here is an enlarged and completely revised edition of a popular field guide, first published in 1966. The format, features, and style are the same as before, but more species, pages, and illustrations are included. Nomenclature and taxonomy have been brought up-to-date, and the text has been revised so as to add new information or improve the writing. All of the range maps have been redrawn and modernized. "Art revisions range from small color improvements and helpful additional details ... to entirely new plates and many more paintings of individual birds." The new typography is more legible than before, while the color printing tends to be softer and more accurate. Even the binding has been improved in the soft-cover edition. If you're in the market for a North American field guide, compare this one with its new competitors, noted below.

Field Guide to the Birds of North America. National Geographic Society. 1983. 464 p. Paper cover. $13.95 plus $3.00 for postage and handling. Source: National Geographic Society, Dept. 100, Washington, DC 20036.

This new entry among field guides was produced by the NGS staff with the aid of four birding/ornithological consultants and thirteen artists. In one volume it includes not only the North American breeding birds, but also those that only winter here or pass through on migration, occasional visitors, and introduced species that are now either established breeders or at least commonly seen as escapees from captivity--for a total of over 800 species. The species accounts (3-5 per page) and range maps are placed on the left-hand pages with the color plates facing. The entries describe appearance, habits, habitat, and voice insofar as is helpful for identification, paying attention to duller plumages, geographic variation, and similar species. The illustrations have naturalistic touches and present the birds in different poses so as best to show the field marks. They vary from reasonably good to excellent according to the artist responsible. This guide invites comparison with others, particularly the revised edition of that by Robbins et al. (Golden Guide), because it too is a single volume and uses the same format. Detailed comparison is not possible here but a few points can be noted. The NGS guide includes more species and the texts are more informative than those of the Golden Guide; its maps tend to be smaller and less detailed, while the illustrations tend to be larger and better printed. Physically, the NGS volume is a little larger (i.e., less pocketable) and considerably heavier. Including postage, the NGS book costs more than twice as much as the Golden. Before deciding between them, however, be sure to see the Peterson standbys and the new Audubon set (noticed below).

The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding. Edited by John Farrand, Jr. 1983. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 3 volumes (447, 398, 399 p.). Stiff paper and cloth cover. $13.95 per volume.

Recent decades have seen reciprocal interactions between birders and field guides: improvements in the one have led to improvements in the other. The latest round in this escalation is marked by this work, subtitled "an advanced field handbook." That it occupies three volumes, each larger than any single-volume guide, indicates the depth of treatment. Volume 1 goes from loons through sandpipers, volume 2, from gulls through the Dipper, and volume 3, from Old World warblers through the Passer sparrows. The 835 species are arranged according to the latest A.O.U. Check-list, except for accidentals, which are listed at the end of each volume. They have been written up by one or another of 61 authors. The text is on the left-hand pages, faced by the illustrations. Each account (1/3 to I page per species) provides a characterization of the species, descriptions of appearance and voice, comparison with similar species, and a statement of the range (supplemented with a small map). Aside from its size, the most distinctive feature of this set is the illustrations. Every species, except for the accidentals, is presented individually, not in combination plates, with one or two (rarely more) added to show sexually dimorphic or immature plumages. Most of the illustrations are color photographs, with color paintings used where suitable photographs were unavailable. The editor and the authors have done an amazing job of unearthing so many good photographs, especially of unglamorous species and plumages. Field marks are pointed out in small monochrome copies of the color pictures and in marginal drawings. Also included are several short but informative articles about birds and birding. A glossary, mostly of terms pertaining to external morphology, is provided in each volume. Indexed. This work is the most ambitious guide to North American birds, but despite its advantages it is not in all ways the "best." It deserves close comparison with other new or newly revised guides on the basis of accuracy, usefulness for identification--particularly in tricky cases and practicality in the field.

Owls of Europe. Heimo Mikkola. 1973. Buteo Books, Vermillion, SD. 397 p. $40.00.

Thirteen species of owls breed in Europe and four more inhabit parts of North Africa and the Middle East, occasionally occurring in Europe. They are the subject of this solid book in the best British natural history tradition. A short opening section presents the taxonomy, morphology, and other general features of owls. The species accounts, which occupy most of the volume, treat in detail the description, field identification, voice, behavior, food, breeding biology, and distribution. They are based on the author's observations and a very full use of the literature. The closing section considers ecological relationships among European owls and attempts to explain how the species can coexist. Building on the recognition of interspecific conflicts among these birds, the final chapter thoughtfully treats their conservation and legal status. Eight color plates by Ian Willis nicely portray all the species, both perched and in flight. In addition, there are pen-and-ink drawings by this artist, as well as many graphs, photographs, and distribution maps. The volume is lastly furnished with a long list of references, many tables of data, and an index. Owl-watchers in North America as well as Europe should see this book. Seven of the 17 species also occur in North America, and all but one of the rest have congeners here; no other single work offers such a wealth of up-to-date information about them.

Birds of the World. Oliver L. Austin, Jr., illustrated by Arthur Singer. 1983. Golden Press/Western Publishing Co., New York. 319 p. $24.95.

The original edition of this book, published in 1961, has been overall the best modern survey of its kind, thanks to its comprehensiveness, authoritativeness, and wealth of color illustrations. Long out of print, it is again available in this reprint edition, slightly smaller in format but with the same number of pages as before. The writing has been lightly polished, errors have been corrected, and numbers of species have been changed where necessary. Although not revised, this remains an exceptionally readable and informative reference about the habits, appearance, and distribution of all major kinds of living birds. Surprisingly, the illustrations look brighter and crisper than before, owing to a smoother-finish paper and perhaps to the method of printing. Altogether, the book is a notably good value for the money. Selected bibliography, index.

Check-list of North American birds, 6th edition. American Ornithologists' Union. 1983. Am. Ornithol. Union, Washington, DC. 877 p. Deluxe edition, limited to 100 copies, bound in leather, signed by members of the checklist committee, $90.00; regular edition, $35.00 ($28.00 to AOU members). Source: Allen Press, P.O. Box 368, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Long awaited, this new edition of the Check-list will surely be the most lasting and important memorial to the AOU Centennial. It differs from its 1957 predecessor chiefly in expanded geographic scope (now including Hawaii, Middle America, and the West Indies), restriction of coverage to the species level, and adoption of several major changes in classification. These last are not new proposals by the "Check-list" Committee but its acceptance of revisions that have already been published elsewhere. As explained in a carefully written preface, the Committee has striven to steer a course between traditional views and bold innovations. The specific entries themselves give in customary manner the recommended names, citation of the original description, habitat, and distribution. Additionally, in many cases they include notes on other nomenclature or taxonomy, thereby pointing out matters of uncertainty or controversy. While this checklist embodies many notable changes from the Fifth, it clearly looks toward further changes in the Seventh. The Committee and its longtime Chairman, the late Eugene Eisenmann (to whom the volume is fittingly dedicated) deserve great appreciation for the thought and work they have put into this book. Four appendices of special lists, list of AOU numbers, index, endpaper maps.

Bird Conservation, No. 1. Edited by Stanley A. Temple. 1983. Published for the International Council for Bird Preservation, U.S. Section, by the University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 148 p. Paper cover. $12.95. Source: University of Wisconsin Press, 114 North Murray St., Madison, WI 53715.

This is the first in a projected series of annuals intended to publish information on bird conservation activities, primarily in the U.S. "Each annual will include several major reports on specific conservation programs written by the biologists who are involved directly with the projects. Usually these reports will focus on a single or a few key issues." This one, for example, focuses on falconiforms with specific articles on the Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, and California Condor. A second regular section for news and updates will give current, concise reports on various bird populations, conservation activities, and international treaties. Finally, there will be a compilation of references from the recent literature that pertain to endangered birds or conservation topics. This yearbook itself valuably fills a niche between the scientific and the popular press by disseminating reliable information in a not-overly technical manner. The U.S. Section of the ICBP deserves applause for sponsoring this new publication as a way to advance knowledge and understanding of issues in bird conservation.

Perspectives in Ornithology /Essays presented for the Centennial of the American Ornithologists' Union. Edited by Alan H. Brush and George A. Clark, Jr. 1983. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 560 p. $29.95 ($24.00 to AOU members). Source: Cambridge Univ. Press, 32 East 57th St., New York, NY 10022.

The AOU has a useful tradition of sponsoring volumes of ornithological essays at intervals in its history, first in 1933, next in 1955, and now once again. While the subject matter itself is of course the focus, it is also revealing to compare the style and selection of topics in these collections. Most of the topics in the present volume were not mentioned at all in the previous one, clearly showing the areas of new growth in the field. Perhaps in awareness of this--and encouraged by the editors--the present authors are more open to the possibilities of further change. Their articles are not so much reviews of the state-of-the-art as examinations of some important questions and the ways of addressing them in future research. The existence of ferment and controversy is underscored by the commentaries that follow most of the chapters, giving alternative viewpoints, specific criticisms, or additional material. In his Introduction, Ernst Mayr offers insights about recent changes in ornithology as well as his comments on several of the chapter topics. The essays are as follows: Captive birds and conservation: William Conway; Research collections in ornithology: Jon C. Barlow and Nancy J. Flood; The study of avian mating systems: Douglas W. Mock (commentary by Sara Lenington); Cooperative breeding strategies: Stephen T. Emlen and Sandra L. Vehrencamp (J. David Ligon, Ian Rowley); Ecological energetics: Glenn E. Walsberg (William A. Calder III); Optimal foraging: John R. Krebs, David W. Stephens, and William J. Sutherland (J. P. Myers); Biochemical studies of microevolutionary processes: George F. Barrowclough (John C. Avise); Organization of the avian genome: Gerald F. Shields; Origin and early radiation of birds: Larry D. Martin (David W. Steadman, Pat V. Rich); Avian community ecology: John A. Wiens (James R. Karr); Biogeography: Daniel Simberloff (Joel Cracraft, Dennis M. Power); Bird song learning: P. J. B. Slater (Luis F. Baptista, Donald E. Kroodsma); and Bird navigation: Charles Walcott and Anthony J. Lednor (Kenneth P. Able). The essays differ in format almost as much as in content, yet the editors have seen to it that they are all well written. This is a stimulating and timely book, not just for those whose specialities are included, but for all ornithologists who care about the process and progress of their science. Lists of references accompany each chapter and commentary. Index.

Ontario Birds.

This new journal, published by the Ontario Field Ornithologists, is intended to provide an outlet for the documentation of the birds of Ontario. The contents of the first issue (April 1983) exemplify the kinds of material desired: "full length articles or short notes on the status of bird species in Ontario, significant provincial or county distributional records, tips on bird identification, behavioral observations of birds in Ontario, location guides to significant birdwatching areas in Ontario, book reviews and similar material of interest on Ontario birds. We do not accept submissions dealing with 'listing' and we discourage Seasonal Reports of bird sightings." Items for publication should be sent to the Editors, % O.F.O., Box 1204, Station B, Burlington, Ont. L7P 3S9. Annual membership in the O.F.O. costs $10.00 and should be sent to the same address.

Birding in Ohio. Tom Thomson. 1983. Indiana University Press, Bloomington. 256 p. $15.00.

This book provides a guide to good birding places in Ohio and an annotated list of the State's birds. Over 200 sites are described with directions and maps for finding them. They are grouped according to region: the northern counties, the west-central counties, and the unglaciated southern and eastern counties. These descriptions tell the best season(s) for visiting, and the birds to be expected. The check-list follows the latest AOU list and is the first statewide review of Ohio's birds in many years. The entries briefly give seasonal and geographic status, a few notable records, and--in a vague and somewhat confusing manner--the average periods of migration or residence. The book will certainly be useful to Ohio birders, yet if a revised edition is planned, one hopes that it will include an overview of the State's topography, climate, vegetation, and habitats, as well as more details and documentation in the species accounts. List of local nature clubs and birding hotlines; references; index.

Birds of the Netherlands Antilles. K. H. Voous. 1983. De Walburg Pers [Zutphen, Netherlands]. 327 p. Source: De Walburg Pers, Postbus 222, 7200 AE Zutphen, Netherlands.

The territory of the Netherlands Antilles consists of two groups of islands: one (Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire) off the coast of Venezuela, and the other (St. Martin, Saba, and St. Eustatius) some 900 km to the northeast, and 250 km east of Puerto Rico. Their birdlife (a total of 252 known species) is described in this admirable little handbook, based on the author's 1955 Dutch edition. In view of the marked faunistic differences between the two groups of islands (predominantly South American vs. West Indian), the book is divided into two parts. Each opens with a brief account of the island habitats and general features of their birdlife. The species accounts which follow treat the appearance, occurrence, habits, food, breeding, voice, and distribution, often in considerable detail. For species that occur in the northern as well as the southern islands, the northern accounts are confined to a summary of local records and breeding data, if any. Color plates by H. J. Slijper show more than half of the species, depicting the plumage or race seen in the islands. The book is not merely a field guide to the birds of its region, but also a good source of information about the natural history of species that breed there. References, indexes, and endpaper maps.

The Foraging Behavior of Mountain Bluebirds/with emphasis on sexual foraging differences. Harry W. Power. 1980. Ornithological Monographs No. 28, American Ornithologists' Union, Washington DC. 72 p. Paper cover. $8.50 ($7.50 to AOU members). Source: Assistant to the Treasurer of the AOU, Dr. Glen E. Woolfenden, Dept. of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620.

This monograph examines the possible evolutionary and ecological causes of sexual differences in foraging behavior of insectivorous passerines. Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) were chosen for the study not because there is anything unique about their foraging, but because the author was already familiar with their habits and the species met his criteria for the investigation. Arising from observations during two breeding seasons, several experiments were run in order to test alternative hypotheses. Although samples were necessarily small, the rigorous design and careful analysis of the tests yielded some clear insights about the roles of vegetation, foraging tactics, and work load. The report deserves attention not only for its findings but also for its demonstration of the value of experiments in field studies. Illustrations, references.

Population Ecology of the Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) in the Front Range of Colorado. Frank E. Price and Carl E. Bock. 1983. Studies in Avian Biology No. 7, Cooper Ornithological Society [Los Angeles, CA]. 84 p. Paper cover. $9.00. Source: Allen Press, P.O. Box 368, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Owing to their relatively simple ecology, dippers appear to be ideal subjects for studies of animal population dynamics. Such a study is reported here, focussing on a particular population, its resources, social interactions, reproductive success, and the potential effects on it of certain abiotic factors. Three years of field work produced an abundance of data which, after statistical analysis, yielded seventeen major factors impinging on the population at different seasons. All of this is solid new information. The major conclusion that emerges, however, is a reinforcement of the view from other recent studies that populations are not regulated by only one or a few environmental factors. "Instead, there are many interacting variables that operate with differing intensities to influence the major population processes .... " While not novel, this message is perhaps more widely important than the study's findings and methodology. Illustrations, references.

Breeding Biology of the Adelie Penguin. David G. Ainley, Robert E. LeResche, and William J. L. Sladen. 1983. University of California Press, Berkeley. 244 p. $27.50.

Seabirds are longer-lived than most landbirds, and must therefore be studied for longer periods in order to understand their life history. Here is the outcome of fifteen seasons of fieldwork in the penguin rookeries at Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica. Individually marked, known age birds were studied throughout, and many of them were observed during several seasons after being banded. Integrating these findings with those from other studies, the report describes breeding activities in detail and analyzes how age, experience, and other factors influence breeding success. It then examines the size and age structure of the Crozier population, and finally, the variables that regulate it. The book is crammed with data (drawn from impressively large samples), yet it is well written, with chapter summaries and other passages to guide the reader. It makes a major contribution to our knowledge of the Adelie Penguin and sheds light on the life history patterns of other large seabirds. Between the lines, it shows the kinds of biological questions that can be explored only by long-sustained investigations. Illustrations, appendices, references, index.

The Arctic Skua/ A study of the ecology and evolution of a seabird. Peter O'Donald. 1983. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 324 p. $49.50.

Arctic Skuas (known to us as Parasitic Jaegers, Stercorarius parasiticus) occur in three main phenotypes that vary in frequency from mostly dark in the southern colonies to almost entirely pale in the north. The ecological and genetic factors maintaining this stable, clinal polymorphism are the chief subject of this book. It is largely based on original, long-term research conducted at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory, between the Shetland and Orkney islands. The stage is set with chapters on the numbers and distribution of birds, their feeding behavior, and breeding biology. The following chapters treat genetics, demography, and sexual selection, incorporating general theory where needed to understand the specific analysis. Despite this material, the argument is at an advanced level and, to be grasped fully, calls for some prior knowledge of population genetics. Several appendices go further into the mathematical and statistical methods for analyzing bird populations and mating patterns. Informative as it is about jaegers, the book will probably be of wider interest to those who are investigating polymorphism, selection, or mating in other birds. Illustrations, references, index.