Collins Field Guide – Birds of Britain and Europe - Hardcover

Peterson, Roger Tory; Mountfort, Guy; Hollom, P. A. D.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007192347 ISBN 13: 9780007192342

Publisher: Collins, 2004

Synopsis

First published 50 years ago and never out of print, this is the classic birdwatcher’s field guide

For 50 years Collins Birds of Britain and Europe has been the standard field guide, providing an concise guide to the essential features of bird recognition. This classic guide, now in its fifth edition, will be relaunched in new livery to attract a new generation of birders. The 'Peterson' guide is well-recognised for giving prominence to key identification features, so is ideal for beginners, as well as providing extensive coverage for more expert birdwatchers. In Peterson's words, 'the purpose of this field guide is to make it easier for 999 out of 1,000 readers to identify birds'.

Nearly 700 species are described in Guy Mountfort's clear, readable text, and there are over 1500 colour illustrations by Roger Tory Peterson. The maps compiled by P.A.D. Hollom show the breeding range and winter range for each species. In the case of confusable species, additional notes draw attention to their distinction from those with which they are most likely to be confused. Descriptions also include how to identify birds in flight and offers a concise introduction of what to look for when trying to distinguish different species.

About this title

Review:

Reviews of the previous editions:

'Easily the most authoritative and best illustrated pocket bird book ever published' Daily Express

'An indispensable aid to anyone travelling in Britain and Europe who is interested in brids' Country Life

'An authoritative, pocketable, generously illustrated, simply written book. They have done their work excellently' The Times

'Comprehensive and reliable. Very full, accurate texts. Good, clear illustrations, with the familiar, useful pointer system to draw attention to important features. The best field guide for use in Europe.' British Birds

'For clarity and speed, it has not been bettered' Irish Times

From the Back Cover:

COMPREHENSIVE, EASY TO USE, HIGHLY ILLUSTRATED

For nearly forty years the 'Peterson' guide has been the standard field guide to the birds of Britain and Europe, providing a concise guide to the essential features of bird recognition. This new edition has been completely reconstructed from the first page to the last: the text has been completely rewritten, all the plates have been repainted (the number has increased from 77 to 96) and reorganised and all the maps have been brought up to date. But this is not a field guide for the expert but, in the words of the artist, who is known throughout the world for his classic guides, 'the purpose of this field guide is to make it easier for 999 out of 1,000 readers to identify birds'.

Reviews of previous editions of this guide:

"Easily the most authoritative and best illustrated pocket bird book ever published."
DAILY EXPRESS

"An indispensable aid to anyone travelling in Britain and Europe who is interested in birds."
COUNTRY LIFE

An authoritative, pocketable, generously illustrated, simply written book. They have done their work excellently."
THE TIMES

"Comprehensive and reliable. Very full, accurate texts. Good, clear illustrations, with the familiar, useful pointer system to draw attention to important features. The best field guide for use in Europe."
BRITISH BIRDS

For clarity and speed, it has not been bettered."
IRISH TIMES

About this edition

• Publisher: Collins
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0007192347
• ISBN 13: 9780007192342
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 320