Book Review

GREAT BRITISH BIRDWATCHER’S PUZZLE BOOK DOMINIC COUZENS, GAIA, SB, £14.99

Dominic has pulled together all sorts of potential quizzes, crosswords, true or false quizzes, and even a ‘What bird am I?’ section to keep you busy this winter. Mix and match, general knowledge or spot the differences – it’s all in here. You can have your own group tests, or just enjoy slowly going through the book yourself. There’s even a middle colour section. Dominic has used his great knowledge of birds (which you enjoy in this magazine, of course!) to put you to the test. Enjoy.

THE BIRD NAME BOOK SUSAN MYERS, PRINCETON, HB, £30

Susan sets out to cover bird names from A to Z, explaining what the names actually mean. For example, the Jay’s name comes from its harsh call, and is similar in several languages, but has also been taken across the Atlantic to cover the American Jays. Scops (Owl) is from the Greek meaning small owl, and so on. The book is full of coloured illustrations of birds around the world, both photos and actual paintings. I found the answers to many questions in this book, and I am sure you will, too.

THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 100 PLANTS SIMON BARNES, SIMON & SCHUSTER, HB, £30

Following on from his book on 100 animals, I would rate this one the better of the two, with such a wide variety of plants covered, including many that we often forget about. Many of the paintings/ pictures are inspiring, and of course, like the 100 animals, you don’t have to read it all in one go – it’s perfect for dipping in and out of. Simon has given us a wide variety of writing over the years, but this book shows the very best of him.

THE TAWNY OWL JEFF MARTIN, POYSER, SB £35, HB £60

Our most urban owl in this country is on the decline, according to this book. Often easier to hear than see, this nocturnal bird seems to be even harder to monitor. Habitat-wise, woodland is its special need, and being a hole-nester it needs mature trees, although it will take to nest boxes. This decline seems to be down to deer grazing habitat too much, but ‘vole years’, such as we experience here in the Pennines, must be a factor, offering good breeding conditions and then poor. The book is packed with useful information.