The Birds of Africa

Publishers: Academic Press Price: $140.25 per volume (seven volumes are planned) Editors: Leslie Brown, Emil Urban, Kenneth Newman (Vol. 1). Subsequent volumes edited by C. Hila1y Fq, Stuart Keith and Emil Urban. Collectors and readers of ornithological books have undoubtedly seen a  number of series begun but not completed. Nothing frustrates one more than to invest several hundred dollars in volumes one and two of a four volume set only to discover that the last two volumes will not be produced. Fortunately for those with an interest in African birds this is not the case with The Birds of Africa. Volume one was published in 1982 and contained Ostriches to Falcons. Of interest to aviculturists are the accounts of penguins, storks, flamingoes and waterfowl. Number two in this series was available in 1986 and covered Gamebirds to Pigeons. Number three, published in 1988, was devoted to Parrots to Woodpeckers and finally volume three in 1992 tackled the first 312 of the roughly 1,200 passerine species on the continent and outlying islands. While it has been ten years since the first volume was available, it appears that with only three volumes remaining a series will actually be produced that provides all the volumes necessaq to complete its topical area! As with most comprehensive, hardbound books, this series is an investment of significant mag nitude. To obtain the first four volumes will "set you back" approximately $600.00. Another attribute of the "series" concept is that of constant price increases. This set has already spanned a decade so it seems reasonable that later volumes are increased by $20.00. Given the cost and difficulty of securing many African species for captive breeding, the purchase would justify itself if it contributed, even in a small way, to your successfully breeding or maintaining one pair of birds. Nevertheless, I have noted numerous single volumes on the shelves of aviculturists. Undoubtedly they purchased only those volumes that contained species they were interested in. While I encourage you to consider purchasing the series (one never knows, you may change your interest and experience difficulty obtaining new volumes) I have included a listing of the contents of each volume. The overall approach to species presentation is rather straight forward. Each species is discussed in terms of its range and status followed by a detailed description of the bird including immature and young, field characters, voice, general behavior, food and breeding biology. Reference is made to the various color plates that illustrate each species. While books do exist that deal with the birds of north, east and south Africa, this series also includes west Africa. Given that a number of finches are exported from west Africa, lack of a good handbook has contributed to our inability to breed these species. Unfortunately, the three remaining volumes will cover the remaining 888 passerines of Africa including the finches! Volume 1 Contents Order Struthioniformes, Procellariiformes, Sphenisciformes, Pellecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Phoenicopteriformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes. Volume 2 Contents Order Galliformes, Gmiformes, Pterocliformes, Columbiformes. Volume 3 Contents Order Psittaciformes, Musophagiformes, Cuculiformes, Strigiformes, Camprimulgiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes. Volume 4 Contents Order Passeriformes including the following families: Broadbills, Pittas, Larks, Swallows and Martins, Wagtails, Cuckoo-shrikes, Bulbuls, Waxwings, Dippers, Wrens, Accentors, Thmshes (to chats).