A Dictionary Of Birds

A Dictionary of Birds enlists contributions from over 280 ornithologists and other specialists from around the world. Major, authoritative articles cover the field of modern ornithology and related subjects, many of them running to several thousand words. In addition there are articles on all the bird families, almost all of which are illustrated by a representative species. There are also numerous short entries defining special terms, application of names, etc. The total gives a text of over 800,000 words, supported by more than 500 photographs, drawings and diagrams. The photographs have been selected under the guidance of Eric Hosking to illustrate different activities of birds, and Robert Gillmor has assembled a collection of over 200 drawings of birds, almost all of which were specially drawn for the Dictionary. Compiled for the British Ornithologists' Union, this new work is in line of succession from Newton's A Dictionary of Birds of 1896 and Landsborough Thomson's A New Dictionary of Birds published in 1964 (2nd impression 1965) and now long out of print. This dictionary, encyclopedic in treatment, is destined to be a major reference in any ornithologist's library; and its editors and contributors, most of whom gave their time and knowledge freely, have earned the thanks and acclaim of users for many years to come.

A comprehensive dictionary listing all the people whose names are commemorated in the English and scientific names of birds. Birdwatchers often come across bird names that include a person's name, either in the vernacular (English) name or latinised in the scientific nomenclature. Such names are properly called eponyms, and few people will not have been curious as to who some of these people were (or are). Names such as Darwin, Wallace, Audubon, Gould and (Gilbert) White are well known to most people. Keener birders will have yearned to see Pallas's Warbler, Hume's Owl, Swainson's Thrush, Steller's Eider or Brünnich's Guillemot. But few people today will have even heard of Albertina's Myna, Barraband's Parrot, Guerin's Helmetcrest or Savigny's Eagle Owl. This extraordinary new work lists more than 4,000 eponymous names covering 10,000 genera, species and subspecies of birds. Every taxon with an eponymous vernacular or scientific name (whether in current usage or not) is listed, followed by a concise biography of the person concerned. These entries vary in length from a few lines to several paragraphs, depending on the availability of information or the importance of the individual's legacy. The text is punctuated with intriguing or little-known facts, unearthed in the course of the authors' extensive research. Ornithologists will find this an invaluable reference, especially to sort out birds named after people with identical surnames or in situations where only a person's forenames are used. But all birders will find much of interest in this fascinating dictionary, an ebook to dip into time and time again whenever their curiosity is aroused.

This is the most complete and up-to-date dictionary of names of American birds available. With more than 900 entries, all the resident birds of the 50 states are included, as well as escaped, exotic, and rare visitors. Including the etymologies and meanings of scientific and common names, it will be an indispensable reference for both scholars and amateur birders. Crisply written and extensively cross-referenced for ease of access, the book is graced by more than 25 striking drawings by renowned ornithologist and bird artist George Miksch Sutton. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.

The first section contains a listing, with description, of the orders and families of birds. Information generally includes characteristics, distribution, distinguishing marks, number of genera and/or species. A second section contains 1008 color photographs of the birds in natural setting. Arrangement is by family as listed in section one. The third part gives accounts of 1200 species arranged alphabetically by scientific name. Cross references from common to scientific name are provided.