Birds of Australia: A Summary of Information
Encyclopedia
Birds of Australia: A Summary of Information is a compact handbook
on Australia
n bird
s published in 1973. It was authored by the originally British
ornithologist
James David Macdonald
who moved permanently to Australia in 1968 following his retirement from a long career with the British Natural History Museum
, one of the final responsibilities of which was the organisation of the Harold Hall Australian bird collecting expeditions
during the 1960s. The book is dedicated to the sponsor of the expeditions, Australian-born philanthropist
Harold Wesley Hall, OBE, MC.
as well as numerous drawings in the text by the same artist. Following the author’s introduction and explanatory notes on the text there is a chapter on the “Origin and Structure of Australian Bird Fauna” by D.L. Serventy, with 51 pages of distribution maps at the end between the species accounts and the index.
, the ornithological journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union
, shortly before the opening of the August 1974 International Ornithological Congress
in Canberra
. Some extracts from the review:
Handbook
A handbook is a type of reference work, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference .A handbook is sometimes referred to as a vade mecum or pocket reference that is intended to be carried at all times.Handbooks may deal with any topic, and are generally...
on Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s published in 1973. It was authored by the originally British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
ornithologist
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
James David Macdonald
James David Macdonald (ornithologist)
James David Macdonald was a Scottish-Australian ornithologist and ornithological writer. A traditional museum ornithologist, he did much to build up the collections of African and Australian birds held by the British Museum, as well as popularising ornithology through his writings.-Education and...
who moved permanently to Australia in 1968 following his retirement from a long career with the British Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
, one of the final responsibilities of which was the organisation of the Harold Hall Australian bird collecting expeditions
Harold Hall Australian Expeditions
The Harold Hall Australian Expeditions comprise a series of five main ornithological collecting expeditions carried out in the 1960s and covering much of the Australian continent.-Organisation:...
during the 1960s. The book is dedicated to the sponsor of the expeditions, Australian-born philanthropist
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
Harold Wesley Hall, OBE, MC.
Description
The book is 255 mm in height by 190 mm in width. It has 552 pages and contains 24 colour plates by Peter SlaterPeter Slater
Peter Slater is an Australian ornithologist, wildlife artist and photographer.Slater grew up in Western Australia and moved to North Queensland in 1966. He began photographing birds from an early age, has won numerous awards in international exhibitions, and was made an Artiste of the Fédération...
as well as numerous drawings in the text by the same artist. Following the author’s introduction and explanatory notes on the text there is a chapter on the “Origin and Structure of Australian Bird Fauna” by D.L. Serventy, with 51 pages of distribution maps at the end between the species accounts and the index.
Review
The book was reviewed in the EmuEmu (journal)
Emu, subtitled Austral Ornithology, is the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. The journal was established in 1901 and is the oldest ornithological journal published in Australia...
, the ornithological journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union
Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union
The Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, also known as Birds Australia, was founded in 1901 to promote the study and conservation of the native bird species of Australia and adjacent regions. This makes it Australia's oldest national birding association. It is also Australia's largest...
, shortly before the opening of the August 1974 International Ornithological Congress
International Ornithological Congress
The International Ornithological Congress series forms the oldest and largest international series of meetings of ornithologists. It is organised by the International Ornithological Committee, a group of about 200 ornithologists...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. Some extracts from the review:
”This book, subtitled ‘A Summary of Information’, is intended by the author first for identification. As well as giving descriptions, it briefly outlines variation, distribution, habitat, habits, breeding, voice, food, status and taxonomy of all birds recorded in Australia. In addition Dr D.L. Serventy contributes a lucid eight-page essay on zoogeographyZoogeographyZoogeography is the branch of the science of biogeography that is concerned with the geographic distribution of animal species.-External links:*: A course outline and collection of Web resources by Dr. Taylor, UBC...
, which not only summarizes a lot of recent information, but also embraces challenging new views on the origins of the early Australian avifauna.”
”Of the 745 species, 467 are illustrated. Two hundred and forty-eight of these are in colour and the rest in black and white, often of part of the bird only. For many ornithologists the lack of illustrations of many species is likely to be a real drawback, in spite of 117 keys in the text for the identification of species within families or genera. The field characters used in the keys thus become very important.”
”Peter Slater’s black and white illustrations are accurate, lifelike and delightful. His colour plates are also successful though the colours of some species are slightly too pale (e.g. Pink Robin), but this is not serious.”
”This book has a lot of useful information, the production of which has clearly involved painstaking, and no doubt lengthy, labour by the author. However, it can be seen from what has been said that there are inaccuracies and gaps. Even if some of these details appear minor, it must be remembered that expensive reference books stand or fall on detail. The author appeals, in the introduction, for readers to point out faults and provide new information. The second edition could thus be much improved.”
”But now we do have one modern, systematically arranged book of all Australian birds available when we welcome the world’s ornithologists here in August.”