WILDFOWL OF EUROPE. By Myrfyn Owen.

1977 1st edition. Large 4to (213 x 303mm). Pp256. Colour plates by Hilary Burn, illustrations, maps, bibliography. Green boards, spine titled in gilt.

"A book both authoritative and handsome on the subject of ducks, geese and swans has been long awaited. The fact that Myrfyn Owen has spent many years researching at The Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, means that for the first time information is available within thse pages that can only be found in journals or private papers. The author has paid particular attention to the ecology of wildfowl and presents us with new insights into the relationship between the birds and their natural habitats". Many superb paintings and illustrations by Hilary Burn. Chapters include; The variety of wildfowl; Wildfowl and their environment; The make-up of a population; Ringing and migration; Behaviour; Wildfowl and man; Watching wildfowl. The remaining 180 pages deal with the wildfowl, species by species. Appendices give, nests, eggs and young of wildfowl, average winter weights and measurements, the winter food of wildfowl, wildfowl in captivity.