I bought this great little guide when taking a course in Ornithology as an undergraduate. More than a field guide, it presents a full classification of birds by taxonomic Order and Family, with colorful illustrations of representative species. It also offers information on characteristics, distribution, and habitat. This work is an excellent way to learn the phylogenetic relationships amongst birds. The systematics has undergone considerable revision since the early 1970s, and many more species have been discovered; but the book still has its uses. For my part, it wasn't sufficient to keep me in the field of ornithology, but I remember it with some fondness, along with "Doc" Raikow who taught the course. ( )

A nicely illustrated book about the many families of birds throughout the world. ( )

598