Birds in the Mediterranean.....birdbooksdirect.com

Birdbooksdirect.com have a range of books designed for those birders who plan a trip to the med this year.The excellent Arlequin range of guides can be viewed by clicking here.

John Busby's excellent watercolours and sketches capture the magic of the island of Mallorca and details are found in the second-hand section.

*Also check out pages at New Holland,Poyser and Helm

The Birds of Corsica click here

Birds of the Mediterranean and Alps

Lars Jonsson

Published in 1982 by Helm as the third book in a series (the other two are 'King Penguin')this title is one of the most difficult titles to find,and became an instant collectors classic.Many illustrations were later used by Helm in the combined field guide,but it was these three books which really put Jonsson 'on the map'.

The beautiful male Black-eared Wheatear shown here is a perfect example of the skill of this now internationally respected artist and ornithologist.

This is a title for those serious about collecting ornithological books and not one we would use as a general field guide *see helm for this

'This young artist quite clearly knows his birds exceedingly well and has captured the distinctive posture and jizz of nearly every species.The paintings are not of birds all in standard poses;each species is in its characteristic stance,thereby giving the book enormous value for identification purposes.'..Tim Sharrock Editor British Birds.

Hardback;160pp.Colour illustrations.Helm 1982.Condition v/fine in d/w.Price £65.00

To order this or any other item,please e-mail us or Telephone +44 (outside UK) (0) 1665 713954

Birds of the

MALTESE ARCHIPELAGO

D.A.Bannerman & J.A Vella-Gaffiero

mapThis work presents the first full description,supplemented by illustrations,of the hundreds of different species of birds recorded in the Maltese Islands.In the process,the important role of the archipelago in bird migration between Europe and Africa across the Central Mediterranean is amply documented and interpreted.Dr David Bannerman,a doyen among world ornithologists,draws on his unparalled knowledge of the avian history of several countries-including nearby Tunisia and some of the larger Mediterranean islands-to describe each bird in detail,its geographical and breeding ranges,habits and habitat.His partner Joseph Vella-Gaffiero,a naturalist on the staff of Malta's National Museum of Natural History and an expert on the birds of his country,contributes the local records and status of the species.The authors put at the reader's disposal much new information based on their varied field experiences.Profusely illustrated in colour and line drawing,the work is also intended to serve as a general handbook on central Mediterranean ornithology,and should be of great interest and value to both scientists and laymen in the other countries of the region besides Malta and Gozo.

Illustrated by C.E Talbot Kelly,Donald Watson, C.Borg, S.Borg, P.A.Clancy, Robert Gillmor, R.Green, H.Gronvold, D.M.Henry, G.E. Lodge, and C.F Tunnicliffe.

Hardback;550pp.Folding map.Colour plates and line drawings.Oliver & Boyd 1976 1st ed.Condition fine in d/w.A wonderfully produced account of this regions avifauna and one for any birders bookshelf.Price £75.00 To order click here or telephone +44 (outside UK) (0) 1665 713954

The Birds of the Balearics

David A Bannerman and W Mary Bannerman

Illustrated By Donald Watson

The Balearics are a group of islands situated in the north-west Mediterranean,of which the most interesting to ornithologists is undoubtedly Mallorca,although the birdlife of the other,smaller,islands of Menorca,Ibiza,Formentera,Cabrera,Dragonera and Conejera is keenly observed.Together the islands form a fascinating area for the study of birds.There are of course a great many resident species of interest;but this number is greatly increased in Spring and Autumn by the many migrants making their way to Northern Europe from Africa and then returning.Despite the continuing attentions of resident and visiting birdwatchers,no definitive account of the birdlife of the Balearic islands has yet appeared in English.It was to rectify this omission that Dr David Bannerman began his studies on the islands in the late 1970's.

To the sorrow and regret of ornithologists,Dr Bannerman died before he had completed The Birds of the Balearics.Failing eyesight caused him to cease work in late 1978,after which W.Mary Bannerman continued the writing from the notes and preliminary material that she had originally prepared.Inevitably,there were at the time several omissions from the complete list.These have been covered as quickly and simply as possible by the publishers so that there should be no delay in publication.It is a book that has been eagerly awaited both by the large number of birdwatchers who visit the islands each year and by birders everywhere anxious to fill in this quite considerable gap in the literature.

The colour plates and line drawings are by Donald Watson,the distinguished Scottish bird artist and writer,and they enhance the text admirably.Dr David Bannerman's respect for his work is expressed in his introduction,where he says ' the paintings will give the reader a good idea of the Mallorcan landscape,its flowers and terrain,not just its birds'.

The last word on Dr Bannerman can be left to Donald Watson himself,as he wrote in an obituary in British Birds (1980): ' His contributions to knowledge,especially on distribution and taxonomy of birds, were massive,but he will be remembered most of all for his monumental books,the like of which will not be seen again'.

Hardback;230pp.Quite brilliant colour plates by Donald Watson.Condition Fine in D/W.Hard to find and very sought after.£70.00 Post Free UK To order this book click or telephone +44 (outside UK) (0) 1665 713954

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