Book Review - Birds of China - Princeton Field Guides

 

     This is a remarkable field guide. From the front cover with its stunning image of a pair of Temminck's Tragopans, to the thumbnail portraits at the back, it delivers quality on every page.

     One would think that by 2024 every improvement that might be made to a field guide would have been made, but this one sets the bar yet again higher. 

     It is significant in many ways, not least of which is that it is edited by two distinguished Chinese ornithologists, supported by a cast of subordinate editors, no less competent and equally passionate about the avian diversity of their huge country.  Who better to know the bird life of China than authors of this calibre? 

     The introductory sections are useful, and in some cases unique, a brief history of systematics, for example. A brief guide to birdwatching even bears recommendations for equipment. There is a short section on bird vocalizations, and important information on bird conservation in China.

     I find the coverage of bird topography especially pleasing and useful, where detailed diagrams of a passerine, a duck and a gull are featured. For a novice birder this will be exceptionally helpful.

     The illustrations throughout are first class.

     Perhaps the most notable aspect of this field guide is that each bird is introduced first by its scientific name, a practice I have never seen in any other field guide and one which I applaud. The name is then given in Mandarin, followed by what I assume is a phonetic interpretation of the Mandarin name, and finally the English language name.

     I can hear kvetching from afar that in an English language guide, the English name should be accorded prominence, and I am not blind to the justification for that position.  It does seem to me, however, that Mandarin merits its position of prominence here - who knows maybe some of us will learn a Mandarin name or two?

      If I have one minor reservation with this exceptional guide, it is that the type is smaller than I would like, but since the guide already weighs in at 1.568 kg, and a larger typeface would necessitate more pages, it is probably a reasonable compromise.

      More birders than ever before are visiting China; rest assured that this is THE guide to take with you. You'll be very happy that you did.

Birds of China - Princeton Field Guides

Paperback - US$39.95 - ISBN: 9780691237527

672 pages - 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm)

4,000 colour illustrations

Publishing date: 16 January, 2024