I think the Seabirds and Shorebirds guides are two of the most wonderful
reference books ever created. Harrison's seabird guide is an incredible
personal achievement... though I've heard Aussie birders say there are
inaccuracies in the southern hemisphere species. (Here's a quote from a
review: "the best bird guide of any kind and of any generation.") I don't
think of it as a book I'd use on an actual pelagic, though. (Though that
may be because I get sea-sick so easily!) And the Shorebird guide has
stupefying attention to detail. The more recent rash of guides on bird
families (Swifts! Pittas & Broadbills - 49 species!) don't seem in the same
class in terms of reference value. I've never used the photographic guide.
Those prices seem high. Aren't they available in soft cover in Australia?
In the US, both are available in soft cover for US$26, about Aus$32...
At 10:08 AM 4/8/97 +60000, wrote:
>I'm going to buy Peter Harrison's Seabird field guide and note from Andrew
>Isles' latest catalogue that he's got it on sale for $78, being the 1989
>second edition (the one with drawings of the birds, hardcopy). Is that indeed
>the latest edition? Is there a forthcoming update that I should wait for?
>
>As the above is a heavier tome, I was wondering about the 1996 $45 edition
>containing photos of birds and is softcover- is this one okay for taking on an
>actual pelagic? (leaving the hardback version in the safety of my bookcase for
>later reference).
>
>Another book altogether: Shorebirds: an identification guide to the waders
>of the world 1991, Hayman, Marchant and Prater at $75. Any words on this book
>before I spend the money?
>
>Cheers and Thanks
>Irene Denton
>Sydney NSW
>
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