Search Results: Birds from Christison Rare Books, IOBA SABDA

([London], British Ornithologists' Union, no date). 276 x 210 mm; wraps; pp. 146; illustrated with tables, graphs, black-and-white photographs and sonograms. Near fine condition. "This special issue of the Ibis represents part of the official record of the 21st International Ornithological Congress held in Vienna, Austria, August 21-25, 1994. . . . Here we present the plenary and evening lectures of the congress. . . . We feel that these full length papers provide a 'state-of-the-art' review of modern ornithology. Topics cover such diverse fields as genetics, systematics, behaviour, ecology, evolution, physiology, neuroendocrinology and conservation biology." .

(London: HarperCollins, 1991). Small 4to; original blue boards, titled in gilt on spine; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. 192, incl. index; full-colour illustrations. From the library of ornithologist Gordon Maclean, and signed by him on half-title. Very good condition; spine panel slightly sunned and short tear to top edge at flap fold; few tape marks to pastedowns; one or two small textual emendations by previous owner. .

(London: W.H. Allen, 1987) 0491033052. 8vo; original black boards, lettered in gilt on spine; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. 384. Dustwrapper slightly creased to top edge of upper panel, sunned on spine panel and a little foxed on reverse side; light soiling to fore-edge. Good condition. Translated from the French by Carys Lewis-Le Disez in collaboration with Jean Yves-Le Disez. "A romantic dreamer and an incredibly talented artist, Jean-Jacques Audubon remains to this day a source of inspiration for thousands of ecologists and artists. In an attempt to do justice to both the man and the artist, Claude Chebel has combined meticulously researched historical detail with an exciting prose style to produce an extraordinary book that reads like an novel and informs and fascinates like a biography." .

(The American Ornithologists' Union, 1939-1999). Broken run of this renowned ornithological journal: there are three issues from 1939-40, and the sequence resumes from January 1953, and is virtually continuous thereafter. 189 journals, bound in original wrappers, plus an index volume for the years 1981-1990. The format is 235 x 155 mm until October 1976, and 257 x 174 mm thereafter. Besides the pre-1953 issues, the missing numbers are: Volume 90, No. 3 (July 1973) and the final number of 1999 (October). Illustrated with maps, tables and photographs; the last seven issues in the set have attractive colour covers. Trace of fishmothing to some covers, esp. to spines; occasional light soiling to covers; a few issues initialled on upper cover by earlier owner Jack Vincent. Very good condition. The previous owner of this set was Jack Vincent, ornithologist, soldier, and former head of the Natal Parks Board, whose contribution to the study of birds included the discovery of the Namuli Apalis in… Read More

(Johannesburg/Cape Town, Afrikaanse Pers-Boekhandel, no date; preface dated 1959). 4to; green cloth, a little soiled; name of previous owner on front free endpaper; pp. 124; 51 coloured plates; a few pen marks; a little scattered browning. Good condition. "The object of this work is to try and help all those that are keen on aviculture with their breeding and keeping of our Own and Foreign Birds. At present there is no work dealing with aviculture in South Africa." .

(Johannesburg: Hugh Keartland, 1965). Folio; original yellow cloth, with grey lettering to spine and upper cover; pictorial dustwrapper; unpaginated (but pp. 57); beautiful studies of twelve South African bird species, with brief accompanying text. Dustwrapper partially sunned and edgeworn; occasional fox spot. Very good condition. "Norman Neumann, although self-taught, shows a remarkable delicacy of touch coupled with an acute artistic feeling for his subject which in no way detracts from the extreme scientific accuracy of his work. Birds, whose beauty of form and diversity of plumage must be one of the most difficult subjects to paint, have always had a fascination for artists. Few, however, have succeeded in reproducing in colour the delicate tonal ranges and exquisite detail required. Norman Neumann has achieved these ideals. In order to reproduce these paintings as faithfully as possible they have been lithographed in six colours in fade-fast inks and this book will, we feel sure, find a… Read More

(Washington, DC: United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, 1955). 231 x 150 mm; saddle-stitched card wrappers; pp. iv + 51; photographs; artwork; tables; map. Lightly rubbed. Very good condition. "As a background for better understanding the economics of the bald eagle, this paper assembles information concerning its characteristics and life history. Included are data on range, abundance, movements, plumages, age, sex ratio, dimensions, weight, nesting, eggs, young, and enemies." .

(Johannesburg: Russel Friedman, 1984) 0620074973. Signed by the author Hilary Fry on the title page. 8vo; original green boards, lettered in gilt on spine; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. 304, incl. index; colour plates; migration and distribution maps; line drawings in text. Foxing to top edge, and occasional fox spot elsewhere. Very good condition. "Dr Hilary Fry's study of the bee-eaters covers all 24 species of this colourful Family which ranges from southern Europe, Africa and the Middle East, to India, China, south-east Asia and Australia. A major part of the book comprises the species accounts, with complementary colour plates of 42 species and sub-species and detailed maps depicting the geography of their evolution. ... The author's colour plates delight the eye and accurately portray plumage and 'jizz'. They are fully supplemented by more than 100 drawings by John Busby, capturing the essence of these birds with a rare deftness and vitality." .

(Cape Town: Africa Geographic, 2006) 0620364297. 280 x 210 mm; laminated pictorial wrappers; pp. 96, incl. index; lavishly illustrated with full-colour photographs.; some adverts. Fine condition. "Best of Southern African Birds captures our region's diverse and abundant birdlife in striking visuals accompanied by succinct, captivating descriptions. It celebrates both our abundant bird population and photographic excellence." .

(New York and London: Academic Press, 1960 and 1961). The pastedowns each have the inscription 'Gordon Maclean / Gemsbok Park / June 17, 1965". The books were the property of ornithologist Gordon Lindsay Maclean, and were evidently signed by him during his period as a researcher into arid-zone birds, and particularly the sociable weaver, in the Southern Kalahari. Two 8vo volumes, each original blue cloth, with gilt lettering to spines; dustwrappers; pp. xii + 518, incl. index, x + 468, incl. index; photographs, line drawings, diagrams, graphs, tables. Dustwrappers a little sunned; tape marks to flaps and endpapers; Gordon Maclean's inscription and ink stamp to front endpapers, his ink stamp also to top edges. Good to very good condition. "These two volumes satisfy the need for comprehensive and up-to-date information available in one source. The work is designed not only for ornithologists but also for other biologists who require specific information concerning any aspect of… Read More

(Pietermaritzburg, University of Natal Press, 1980). Illustrated by Tony Clarkson; Folio; original black rexine; pictorial dustwrapper slightly curled and edgeworn at top edge; pp. xx + 320, incl. index; illustrated with distribution maps and line drawings for each of the species considered. Pages very slightly rippled. Very good condition. "The Bird Atlas of Natal is quite unlike all other Southern African bird books. The observations of the authors and birdwatchers throughout the Province during the period January 1970 - December 1979 have been plotted on to maps which offer a precise record of the distribution of 530 species. For each of the birds there is also a short description of its world distribution and its local habitat, and a line illustration specially drawn for this book." .

(Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press, 1980). Illustrated by Tony Clarkson. Folio; original black rexine; pictorial dustwrapper; pp. xx + 320, incl. index; illustrated with distribution maps and line drawings for each of the species considered. Dustwrapper sunned on spine panel, water-stained, and a little edgeworn, with simple sellotape repair to top edge; front endpaper slightly soiled; occasional very light foxing. Very good condition, in a fair dustwrapper. "The Bird Atlas of Natal is quite unlike all other Southern African bird books. The observations of the authors and birdwatchers throughout the Province during the period January 1970 - December 1979 have been plotted on to maps which offer a precise record of the distribution of 530 species. For each of the birds there is also a short description of its world distribution and its local habitat, and a line illustration specially drawn for this book." .

(Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press, 1980). Illustrated by Tony Clarkson. Folio; original black rexine; pictorial dustwrapper; pp. xx + 320, incl. index; illustrated with distribution maps and line drawings for each of the species considered. Dustwrapper sunned on spine and slightly edgeworn, with short tear to bottom edge of upper panel; one corner a little bumped; previous owner's name on front free endpaper. Very good condition. "The Bird Atlas of Natal is quite unlike all other Southern African bird books. The observations of the authors and birdwatchers throughout the Province during the period January 1970 - December 1979 have been plotted on to maps which offer a precise record of the distribution of 530 species. For each of the birds there is also a short description of its world distribution and its local habitat, and a line illustration specially drawn for this book." .

(Bloemfontein, National Museum, 1981). Memoirs of the National Museum, Volume 16; 4to; original black cloth; signed "With author's compliments T. Farkas" on the title page; pp. x + 160; illustrated with tables, figures, maps and black-and-white photographs; mild foxing to endpapers. A typewritten letter to the author, in German, from renowned ornithologist Gordon Maclean, is taped to a blank page at the end of the book. Very good condition. A study of the avifauna of this transitional environment in southern Africa. .

(Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa, 1998) 0620226498. Signed on the title page by one of the authors, Roy Cowgill. 210 x 148 mm; pictorial wrappers; pp. (viii) + 112; colour photographs of the reserves covered. Fine condition. This guide is far more than a compilation of checklists for individual reserves in the area of Greater Durban: it contains much information on habitats, directions to the nature reserves, and special species to anticipate while birding. The authors are experienced naturalists and leaders of birding groups in KwaZulu-Natal. .

(Salisbury, Longman Rhodesia, Bundu Series, 1973). 213 x 137mm; pictorial wraps very slightly soiled; pp. vi + 140, incl. index; profusely illustrated with full-colour photographs, and with line drawings by Graeme Arnott. Very good condition. A practical, well illustrated guide to all aspects of birding in the southern African subregion, by a respected ornithologist of many years' experience. .

(Windhoek: Nature Conservation and Tourism Division of the South West Africa Administration, 1973). 210 x 148 mm; saddle-stitched pictorial wrappers; pp. 48; full-colour photographs. Some very light foxing to wrappers. Very good condition. Known as a good site for the Namibian endemic the Damara Rockjumper, "The Daan Viljoen Game Park with its freedom of movement, footpaths and rich bird life is exceptionally well-suited for the study of birds. We hope that this guide book ... will make it more enjoyable for the reader." .

(Edinburgh and London: Oliver & Boyd, 1964). Large 8vo; original green cloth; price-clipped pictorial dustwrapper; pp. xxxiv + 511, incl. index; colour frontis., and forty-one colour plate illustrations of birds, after the author's paintings; seventeen photographic plate illustrations of habitat; large, folding map at rear. Excellent dustwrapper a little rubbed on lower panel; donor's book label to front free endpaper; a little minor foxing. Very good condition, in a like dustwrapper. "P. A. Clancey has engaged in extensive original research over the years since 1950 in order to make this account of the birds of Natal and Zululand and all the immediately adjacent territories of south-eastern Africa as up-to-date and authoritative as possible. No work on South African birds since the early 1900's has given such detailed descriptions of each species, and much information, hitherto available only in museum and specialised ornithological publications, has been collected together… Read More

(London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1957 and 1960, 2nd edition). African Handbook of Birds, Series I, Volumes I and II. Two 8vo volumes; original grey buckram, titled in gilt on spine and with gilt map device to upper cover in each case; pictorial dustwrappers; pp. xxv + 846, viii + 1113 + (65), incl. index; colour plates, photographs, and distribution maps. Dustwrappers rather foxed and edgeworn, that for Volume One with broad sellotape repair to head of spine; moderate foxing to endpapers; regular light browning and some spotting elsewhere. Good. "This superb work when completed will be comparable to, say, Witherby's Handbook of British Birds. But Witherby had many competent predecessors; Mr Mackworth-Praed and Captain Grant are pioneers. And Witherby dealt only with these islands, whereas the present volume [volume 1] covers about a quarter of a continent. It is a most workmanlike production, giving the observer in the field every possible aid in bird-identification." - New… Read More

(Johannesburg, Witwatersrand Bird Club, 1978). Southern Birds No 5. 210 x 140 mm; saddle-stitched card wraps. Annotated check list of the birds in the region. .