{HISTORY}

If you picked up a bird identification field guide anytime in the last 100 years, chances are you would recognize the name Roger Tory Peterson. As our modern-day equivalent to the artistic talents of John James Audubon, Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996) was responsible for creating interest and enthusiasm in the birdwatching community with his detailed avian art and influential nature identification guides. 

A birder's love knows no boundaries, so it's an obvious connection that when the need for a field guide arose specifically for British and European birds that Roger Tory Peterson would be amongst the collaborators. Two others joined him in creating A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe… British conservationist and ornithologist Guy Mountfort (1905-2003) and British ornithologist Phillip A. D. Hollom (1912-2014). After meeting for the first time in 1949, these three avian adventurers travelled all over Europe and the British Isles together gathering data, observational notes, and sketches for their field guide that would eventually be published in 1954. 

The first of its kind to include both British and European birds in one small, easily referenced book, this volume follows the same style of Roger's American field guides. Like the others, it contained the same style of detailed drawings, notes on unique characteristics, and imagery of similar bird groupings with color plates to help identify male, female, and juvenile stages. 

Other handy information found within its pages include a checklist for personal sightings, topographical maps, help-aids on ways to identify birds, notes on color variations and location sightings, as well as a blank field notes section in the back of the book.  A ruler printed on the back coverboard helped offer precise measurements and perspective when viewing a bird in the wild. 

Reprinted nine times between 1954-1964, this 1967 edition is the first major revision that was undertaken of the original. For this project two more birders joined the team - Italian-born, British educated ornithologist James Ferguson-Lees (1929-2017) and artist and writer Donald Ian McKenzie Wallace (1933-2021). Updates included more drawings, more species, and a revision of the scientific nomenclature. 

A labor of tremendous love for all five men involved, this book is full of exotic appeal for American birders and full of familiar favorites for those living in the U.K. and Europe. Whether you are here or there, doesn't matter so much when it comes to the fascination department provided by the cotents within. Readers will learn all about the Long-billed Dowitcher, the Ruddy Shelduck, the Slovonian Grebe, the Scoups Owl, the Hawfinch, the Chiffchaff, and the Snow Bunting just to name a few.  

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• 1967 Second Edition, First Printing
• Contains 344 pages
• Illustrated throughout with maps, drawings and paintings in both color and black and white.

{CONDITION}

In lovely, vintage condition, this field guide is bright and clean throughout with no spots, stains or notations. The coverboards are free of spots. The spine is tight ad all pages are intact. 

{SIZE}

Measures 7.5" inches (length) x 4.75" inches (width) x 1" inch (thickness) and weighs 1 lbs

{MORE FROM ROGER}

Find more of Roger Tory Peterson's work in the shop here.