The Bookshop

Birds of the World

The Birds of the World compact disc (CD) contains a humongous database of all the things you’ve ever wanted to know about birds but didn’t know who to ask. The database includes • information about 9,970 species and 16,500 subspecies • 5,118 distribution maps • 462 taxonomic maps • 7,400 tags of altitudinal distribution • 14,500 photos of 3,870 species • 1,800 tags of breeding data • taxonomic comments • a checklist for all countries in the world and states in Australia, Canada, China, India, and the United States • and more. It is available in 18 languages: scientific, English, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Faeroic, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

As the database is updated or expanded (to include birds’ songs, for example), it will be available at a reduced rate to those who have already purchased the CD.

Computer requirements to peruse the CD: IBM compatible machines should have a Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, or XP operating system (an NT system needs service pack 3 or higher); should be Intel compatible with 486/33; and should have 16 megabytes of RAM, a CD-ROM, and a hard disk drive with a minimum of 1.5 gigabytes free. A Power Macintosh computer should have a Mac OS 7.6.1 operating system or higher, 16 megabytes of RAM, a CD-ROM, and a hard disk drive. A G3 processor is recommended.

Visit www.birdsoftheworld.org/ to order online or to e-mail for additional information. In Sweden the cost is 1,250 kronor, including shipping. International purchase price is 155 euros, including shipping. Cost in the United States is US$150.00, plus US$5.00 shipping.

Handbook of the Birds of the World

Handbook of the Birds of the World is the first work ever to provide illustrations and essential information about all the world’s known bird species. The handbook ultimately will consist of 16 volumes. Volumes 1 through 7 cover nonpasserine birds. The most recently published Volume 8 begins the descriptions of passerines. Volume 9 is set for publication in fall 2004.

The handbook, edited by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott, and David Christie, is the product of collaboration among renowned authors, artists, and photographers from around the globe. Heavily reviewed, the volumes are an indispensable standard reference work.

Each volume chapter provides a two-part description of an avian family. The first part gives a global perspective, with subheadings of Systematics, Morphological Aspects, Habitat, General Habits, Voice, Food and Feeding, Breeding, Movements, Relationship with Man, Status and Conservation, and General Bibliography. These narratives are complemented by a rich selection of photographs, many illustrating different behavioral aspects. The second part offers species accounts, which provide succinct summaries of standard information compartmentalized under subheadings of Taxonomy, Distribution (including a range map), Descriptive Notes, Habitat, Food and Feeding, Breeding, Movements, Status and Conservation, and Bibliography. Plates that illustrate this part depict each species as well as a significant number of subspecies and other species variations.

Hardcover, 9 ¾ x 12 ½, series of 16 volumes. Cost is US$195.00 per volume, plus shipping. A set of Volumes 1 through 8 is available at a reduced price of US$1,280.00, plus shipping. Payment may be made in up to 18 installments, with no interest charges. Order from Lynx Edicions at +34 93 594 77 10 or lynx@hbw.com, or visit www.hbw.com for more information.