BIRDS, DISCOVERY AND CONSERVATION: 100 YEARS OF THE BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB. Edited by David Snow.

1992 1st edition. 8vo (160 x 240mm). Ppx,198. Colour frontispiece. Blue boards, spine titled in gilt.

"The British Ornithologists' Club was founded in 1892 and its Bulletin started publication at the same time. Over the years, the Bulletin has had a startlingly important influence in the world of ornithology - particularly taxonomy. In a sample of 100 species that had, over the last hundred years, been recognised as new to science, it was discovered that 49 of them had first been announced in its pages. But the Bulletin was not just devoted to taxonomy - exploration, migration, ecology, behaviour, conservation, as well as the British list have all been covered in its pages. And yet the Bull remains relatively unknown save only to the members of the B.O.C. Its regular readers prize its contents above most better known ornithological journals. The purpose of this anthology is to give all birders a chance to savour some of the wonderful stories that have over the last hundred years appeared in its pages. Where appropriate, modern experts have added commentary. This book captures the essential flavour of British ornithology. It is scholarly, highly entertaining and above all shaped by the eccentric and often authoritarian personalities of the members of the B.O.C. - F.C. Selous, R. Bowdler-Sharpe, P.L. Sclater, the extraordinary Col. R. Meinertzhagen, and many more".