A review of Lars Jonsson´s "Birds of Lake, River, Marsh and Field"
This is the third volume in a five-volume series of field guides written
and illustrated by Lars Jonsson. This volume covers typical birds found in or
around lakes, rivers, marshlands and agricultural landscapes. The geographical
range is Northern and Central Europe, north of the Alps but south of the
"taiga". Ducks, shorebirds, grebes and rails are prominently
featured, as are assorted passerines. We also get to meet the crane, the
kingfisher and the swift.
Personally, I think that this series is rather idiosyncratic. Birds are not usually connected to a distinctive biotope, I mean they do fly! I'm pretty sure you can find a lot of birds around the average European lake not included in this slender little volume. Indeed, Jonsson later published a one-in-all volume called "Birds of Europe", covering the entire continent from Iceland to the Bosphorus.
However, as a work of art in its own right or a birthday gift to a bird-lover, even the third volume of the original series works just fine. These ducklings sure aint ugly! Four stars.
Personally, I think that this series is rather idiosyncratic. Birds are not usually connected to a distinctive biotope, I mean they do fly! I'm pretty sure you can find a lot of birds around the average European lake not included in this slender little volume. Indeed, Jonsson later published a one-in-all volume called "Birds of Europe", covering the entire continent from Iceland to the Bosphorus.
However, as a work of art in its own right or a birthday gift to a bird-lover, even the third volume of the original series works just fine. These ducklings sure aint ugly! Four stars.
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