N.Z. BIRDS

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33083, 25 November 1972, Page 10

N.Z. BIRDS

The Hat Book of Common Birds In New Zealand. By F. C. Kinsky and C. J. R. Robertson, pictures by Janet Marshall. A. H. and A. W. Reed. 93 pp. (Reviewed by D.H.8.)

This attractive little book is an excellent introduction to the common birds of the town, farmland and freshwater habitats in New Zealand. It is identical in format to the earlier Fiat Book of New Zealand Trees, including the useful feature of separate pages with perforated edges and spiral bindings, and is to be followed by a second volume covering birds of the mountain, bush, and shore habitats. Each of the 43 > species included in the present volume is illustrated by a colour plate, with female, immature and wintec plumages included where appropriate, faced by a single page of text The authors admit to some arbitrary, decisions in their selection of species, but the final choice would be difficult to criticise, particularly as some omissions that might be suggested will probably appear in the second volume. The artist has made a praiseworthy, and generally successful attempt to show the birds in life-like attitudes and shapes, as well as colours. There is a tendency to make necks too thick, very noticeable in the Dabchick, and a little less so in the Black Swan and Paradise Duck; in some others the legs look rather thin and weak, though the reviewer finds this more acceptable than making them look too thick. The Redpolls give the reviewer the impression of looking larger than they do in life. But, with the possible exception of the Dabchick, none of these faults is likely to lead to a bird being wrongly identified. On the credit side, the reviewer has never seen better portrayals of the Magpies, and the Silvergreys and Little Owl are delightful. These paintings are undoubtedly among the best so far as New Zealand birds are concerned.

The text covers, for each species, the Status (native or introduced, and whether protected or not), Field Characters, Distribution and Habitat, and Breeding, with brief but fully adequate notes under each heading. The book would be an admirable choice for an overseas visitor, the orchardist or market gardener, for the primary school teacher, or as a present for a youngster displaying hn interest in birds. At the price it would also be within the range of the modem teenager’s own pocket. It is a convenient size to fit into one’s pocket, or in the glove-box of a car.