A BIRD IN THE HAND: BIRD TRAPPING TALES. By Bill Doherty.

(2006) 2012 2nd edition. 8vo paperback (170 x 240mm). Ppxiv,152. Colour and b/w photographs, illustrations.

Boyhood tales of bird keeping and trapping in the rural Northumberland of the 1960's. In A Bird in the Hand Bill Doherty tells of the beginnings of his involvement with keeping birds, and also of wild bird catchers among the birdmen known to him during his youth. He looks at the ways of these men not only as trappers and poachers, but as most knowledgeable aviculturalists and countrymen, from who he learnt so much. Set in the hard mining areas of the north-east of England in the early 1960's, the book cleverly takes the reader on vivid journeys into woods, fields, hedgerows and bird-sheds, and the authors descriptive writing style continually displays his passion for wildlife, while fully bringing to life the times and individuals. The book fully conveys a child's exciting journey of discovery, and the depth of gratitude, admiration, acknowledgement and acceptance of each highlighted individual is truly profoundly balanced in just the right measure. The stories are educational; some are intriguing, captivating and fascinating while others are extremely funny, the adventures blossom vividly to life through the assistance of many wildlife observations, studies that come naturally to the author, but that others tend to miss on visits into the British countryside.