Birds of the Rocky Mountains

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.

Birds of the Rocky Mountains is a practical, well-ordered field guide
that will aid in both the identification and appreciation of more than
300 species.

The area covered by the guide is the mountainous strip paralleling the
West Coast from northern Mexico to northern British Columbia. As more
than 80 percent of the species featured in the guide can be found east
of the Rockies, birders anywhere in North America will find it very
useful.

The work is rich. Illustrations larger than are found in the typical
field guide, two-way color coding for classifications, an index of
“miniatures” of each species (in full color), a colorful quick
reference to the bird groups, detailed text, and water-resistant covers
all add extra value.

For each species the text gives common and scien-tific name, a lively
introduction, physical description (color phases, size, range, habitat,
nesting and eggs, feeding, voice), and comparison to similar species.
The birds are presented in the standard AOU order.

The illustrations are the work of four artists. While some differences
in style and technique are discernable, the artists are closely matched
in skill level and, clearly, worked with a common objective. As a
result, the plates present a cohesive whole with enough variation to add
interest.

A must-have for anyone studying birds.