Songbirds

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Written for the person with a serious interest in birds, and featuring
120 glowing full-color, large-size photos of songbirds, this book is
both informative to read and delightful as a coffee-table picture book.

Mackenzie discusses in moderate detail finches and buntings, both Old-
and New-World warblers, and thrushes. These birds share several
characteristics: they are small (no larger than a robin), they can be
extremely colorful, and most have appealing vocalizations. Also included
in the selection are such familiar Canadian species as bluebirds,
evening grosbeaks, goldfinches, ovenbirds, and veeries. Among those less
familiar to Canadian birders are the white-chinned prinia, apalis,
European blackbird, chorister chat, and African reed warbler. In all,
some 85 species are illustrated.

The majority of the species covered can be found in North America, so
even the amateur naturalist will discover many familiar birds in their
avian portrait gallery.

The photos tend to be representational, selected to give an
unobstructed view of the bird rather than to make an artistic statement.
Several close-ups are included, showing unusual color patterns
(dickcissel, ruby-crowned kinglet) or incredible color intensity (blue
grosbeak, cardinal). Although the photos are compositionally
uncomplicated, anyone who has tried to photograph a bird will appreciate
the tremendous patience and the knowledge (both of birds and of
specialized photographic methods) required to get such clear and
animated shots. Furthermore, warblers are birds of the treetops, nearly
inaccessible to photographers. Unfortunately, the photographers are
given very little credit for their skilled work.

This book will appeal equally well to nature photographers, birders,
and amateur naturalists.