This new field guide is a complete & convenient reference to every species of cetacean, pinniped & sirenian in the world, along with the Marine & Sea Otters & the Polar Bear. Every species is illustrated with magnificent colour paintings & a stunning collection of photographs, chosen to illustrate the key field marks which can be used to separate each species in the field. The author`s unique depth of experience & knowledge, coupled with the artist`s unrivalled skill, have come together to produce a neat, practical field guide that will enable any observer to quickly identify any mammals they may encounter at sea. ...

First published in 2000, the Collins Field Guide to New Zealand Wildflife quickly became a classic of its kind. Familiar to both national & international travellers keen to identify the birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, freshwater fish & invertebrates commonly encountered in this country, its combination of authoritative yet clear & precise textual descriptions & stunning photographs proved an instant winner. Now, more than 10 years on, this classic field guide has been updated & extended to make it even more useful to travellers with an interest in natural history & ecology. Retaining its useful glovebox-friendly format, the significantly expanded text will also include the latest research findings & changes in classification & nomenclature that have occurred in the past 10 years, along with new photographs where appropriate. Including both native & introduced species, each entry succinctly describes both habits & habitats, distribution, classification, breeding patterns, food & recognition tips to assist amateur identification. A wonderful addition to any natural history collection. ...

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. ...

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. ...

Australia has a remarkable avifauna. Of the 760 species, around 240 are endemic, making this country second only to New Guinea in terms of avian endemism. This field guide, now in its seventh edition, has long been the standard reference for the birds of Australia, & this edition has been extensively revised & updated. There are 20 new plates, & a new distribution map for each species showing subspecies distribution where appropriate. Over 1000 black & white illustrations, many new or redrawn, illustrate behaviours, flight silhouettes, detailed comparisons between related species & other useful identification pointers. This classic work has sold over 400, 000 copies in its lifetime, & remains the definitive guide for this country. ...

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. ...