BB'S BIRDS: WRITINGS AND ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE WORKS OF "BB" (DENYS WATKINS-PITCHFORD MBE).

2007 1st edition. 4to (198 x 258mm). Pp215. B/w photographs, b/w vignette illustrations by Denys Watkins-Pitchford, bibliography. Claret boards, spine titled in gilt. Edition limited to 950 copies.

"BB grew up a keen observer of birdlife and was expert in recognising the songs and sounds of the various species, as well as understanding their particular characteristics. He drew and painted hundreds of pictures of birds and described their antics and way of life in his many books and magazine articles in a most fluent and intimate manner. Perhaps his greatest attribute was his skill in observing and describing the commonplace and everyday happenings and bringing them vividly alive. The arrival of the year's first swallow; the squabbling of house sparrows; the fairy-like song of the reed warbler; the emotive sight and sound of flighting geese - 'the hounds of heaven' - streaking across a sunset sky. BB's Birds is a book to dip into and to return to time and again, as one might a book of favorite poems. It is a joyous celebration: an anthology which includes extracts from some of the finest writings of this true-born countryman and self-taught naturalist. Never again will anyone be able to observe and record the English countryside as he did. There will never be another like BB."