This beautifully illustrated guide covers an unprecedented range of species that may be sighted along the coastline or offshore by the whale watcher, bird watcher, fisher, boating enthusiast, or natural history buff. Designed in a handy pocket size, the book provides concise information for identifying the invertebrates, mammals, birds, turtles, fish, sharks & rays, & even floating seaweeds & common algae that live along the Atlantic coast & offshore from North Carolina to the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, & Prince Edward Isl&. With range maps & text on pages directly opposite the full-colour illustrations, the book makes identification of more than two hundred species of offshore wildlife quick & easy. Special features include full-page spreads to compare similar species of seabirds, & inserts to help identify whales by their blowhole patterns, diving, & other behaviours. Those with an interest in ocean life know that surprises often appear at the end of a fishing line, floating beside the boat, washed up on the shore, or flying overhead. This is the ultimate guide for those who are curious about such creatures & the marine environment in which they dwell. Also available by Noble S. Proctor & Patrick J. Lynch: Manual of Ornithology (paper ISBN 030007619 3, 18.95). ...

This title is intended as a companion volume to ”A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa”. It features the 516 reptile species for the subregion (27 tortoises, 337 lizards, 151 snakes & one crocodile) that are currently described in the scientific literature. The introductory section covers the following: how to use this book; distribution patterns of southern African reptiles; the diversity of reptiles; the Biology of reptiles; behaviour; finding & observing reptiles; & snakebite. ...

In this pocket-size guide to the secret world of snowflakes, you`ll learn the science behind these one-of-a-kind natural masterpieces. The book`s pages contain stunning microphotography, descriptions of common snowflake types, & information about snowflakes` complex structures & patterns. ...

The taxonomy & systematics of European reptiles & amphibians have changed a lot in recent years, yet there is no modern, up-to-date field guide available that comprehensively covers all the species. The last illustrated field guide to European reptiles & amphibians was first published 38 years ago, & remains oudated despite occasional reprints & new editions. This major new field guide addresses this deficiency. A total of 219 species are covered in detail, with a focus on identification & geographical variation; species texts also cover distribution, habitat & behaviour. superb colour illustrations by talented artist Ilian Velikov depict every species & all major variations, & colour photographs are also included for most species. This groundbreaking new guide will become the definitive field reference for these two groups of animals. It
Includes::
- Over 370 colour artworks & 200 colour photographs
- 155 accurate & up-to-date distribution maps
- Easy-to-use keys & tables to help with swift species identification



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This is a brand new field guide to Britain`s bees that for the first time makes this fascinating & important group of insects accessible to the general naturalist. The guide covers over 270 species, & is fully illustrated with stunning photographs & Richard Lewington`s beautiful colour artwork. ...

Oxford University Press’ “A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil” is, at time of publication, the first comprehensive field guide to the birds of Brazil The carefully vetted text & images are the first to cover the full range of bird life in this vast & varied country. The more than 1800 up-to-date accounts treat the Yellow-nosed Albatross to the Sombre Hummingbird, the Ash-throated Gnat-eater to the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Nighthawks & Jacamars to Motmots, Puffbirds, & Peppershrikes. They are all here--every species & many subspecies found in each region of Brazil--with special attention given to the 218 Brazilian endemics. The book is laid out so that the illustrations sit across from the commentary & the distribution maps, so it is easy to use. Also, the author uses short-hand notation throughout, to make the book compact & easy to carry when in the field. It features 187 beautifully drawn full-color plates with 1820 species accounts. For each bird, the scientific, English, & Portuguese name are given as well as detailed information on measurement; identifying features; habitat; voice, song, & call. Distribution maps show the range for each species, also indicating seasonality & occurrence, essential for finding & identifying specific birds. From the equatorial North to the tropics, the introductory paragraphs set the stage in describing Brazil`s varied biogeography, climate, geomorphology, & natural vegetation. A list of protected areas of Brazil, information on relevant national & international organizations, a bibliography & further references, & an English-Portuguese dictionary of frequently used terms enhance the user-friendly qualities. Anyone wishing to fully explore the fabulously varied bird life of Brazil will find this light-weight, easy-to-use, attractive guide an invaluable field companion. Recommended for students & scholars of ornithology, general readers interested in Brazilian natural wildlife. ...

Stunningly illustrated & simple to use, this brand new, fully updated, edition of a practical & informative guide is a must for any birdwatcher`s pocket. Whether observing what is feeding, nesting or bathing in your garden, or further afield, or trying to identify a bird on the wing, this book is perfect for use at home, out in the car or in the field. Arranged in taxonomic species order, it is ideal for both the beginner & the more experienced birdwatcher. The comprehensive & informative jargon-free text is written by birdwatching expert Mark Golley. This book is packed with identification tips, details of habitat & calls for over 280 bird species, &

Includes:: all those seen regularly in Britain & Irel&, as well as some of the less common migrants. It is illustrated throughout with more than 1, 000 spectacular, full-colour illustrations by leading bird artist David Daly.

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Coinciding with Colombia's 200th anniversary as a republic, the world's most bird-rich nation finally has a new field guide. It brings together original illustrations of all the country's birds, including most plumage variations, many new & even undescribed species, original text & up-to-date maps. Never before have so many species been described & illustrated for a national field guide. The guide features all-new texts, maps & illustrations for all of the birds recorded in Colombia, including offshore islands. Every species is illustrated & all of the non-pelagic species are mapped. Plates are arranged to show illustrations, maps, text, field notes & notes on endemism & threat status side by side in a single information cell. Emphasis is placed on features that will be most useful in the field. This book is more field-friendly than most other national guides for neotropical countries. At 250 pages long & just 12.5 x 21 cm, it is the first genuinely pocket-sized comprehensive field-guide for one of the biggest neotropical avifaunas. All profits from this book will go toward the pioneering conservation work & unrivalled network of protected areas of Pro Aves in Colombia. ...

Graced with bounteous natural beauty Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Birds play a prominent role in attracting visitors, too. The shimmering quetzals, gaudy macaws, & comical toucans that populate tourism posters only begin to hint at the impressive avian diversity to be found throughout this small country. The principle objective of this book is to help you correctly identify birds in Costa Rica. Each family of birds is introduced by a brief description that should help the novice birder determine to which group a bird belongs. Nearly every species is illustrated by one or more images, as needed. Corresponding to each species' illustration is a written account on the facing page. The account begins with the unique field marks to look for that will distinguish each species from similar ones. Following the description of unique markings is information about how common a species is & where it occurs geographically. To the left of most accounts is a thumbnail map of Costa Rica showing the species' range within the country. Many species accounts include a description of vocalization. ...

This field guide covers the avifauna of eastern North America using detailed artworks, maps & text. Lighter than the original North American Bird Guide”, the book is designed to be suitable for regular field use & has a fully integrated format allowing quick & easy reference. ” The ideal identification guide.” Birdwatch ...