Arkansas Birds, Thier Distribution and Abundance (c)

Book excerpt: Arkansas Birds fills a space too long empty on the shelves of ornithologists and students alike, of naturalists, wildlife and conservation groups, bird and garden club enthusiasts, artists, and those dedicated people who may be all of these. The authors have drawn upon a wide range of sources, from prehistoric Indian sites to present-day field observation, to cover ever species of wild bird recorded in Arkansas. Accounts of such extinct species as the Carolina Parakeet keep us from taking for granted even the Northern Bobwhite and other common modern species. Early chapters introduce the reader to the habitats favored by various species; full descriptions are accompanied by line drawings and color photos. Arkansas Birds serves both as a quick reference and a general historical review. A discussion of the Bald Eagle traces its history from bones found in Indian burials, through Audubon's early observations, to modern population declines and successful observation efforts. This attractive and accessible volume is a guide long-awaited by both the professional student of birds and the amateur with a backyard feeder.--Jacket.