National Geographic complete birds of North America

Here is a worthy second edition of a fine, glorified field guide, richly illustrated, authoritatively authored, and attractive. The paintings and text are largely derived from the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America (6th ed., 2011), also authored by Alderfer, Dunn, and Lehman. However, there are 600 new illustrations (now totaling 4,000), 150 photographs, and 800 revised maps by Lehman, new essays, and in some cases, additional, enhanced maps expanding on information in the regular maps. This big, chunky tome is not for field use, but for consulting in one's study, living room, or car. Twenty-five distinguished contributors have authored chapters on various bird groups. Unlike in the first edition (CH, Jul'06, 43-6532), they have received here conspicuous attribution. There are so many good features not in the field guide that anyone owning the guide should want this fine title, too. Species accounts sections include identification, similar species, voice, status, distribution, geographical variation, and population plus multiple illustrations and maps, which extend into Mexico, Siberia, Greenland, and Iceland, where appropriate. The introductory material is brief, as are the bibliography and website list (which omits the National Audubon Society). The binding is supple; that of the first edition is too tight. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic and public libraries. --Henry T. Armistead, Free Library of Philadelphia