WOODLAND BIRDS. By Eric Simms. New Naturalist No. 52. Bloomsbury Books Edition.

(1971) 1990 Bloomsbury edition. 8vo (148 x 217mm). Ppxii,391. B/w photographs, b/w line illustrations, maps and bibliography. Paper-covered cream boards, spine titled in gilt.

This "study of British woodlands - both coniferous and broadleaved, natural and planted - and their varied bird life is perhaps one of the msot engaging ...to appear in this series. [Eric Simms] first considers the general environment of trees ...and the origins and history of the British and Irish woodlands and their birds from Pliocene times to the present day. He then considers the nature of the 'woodland bird'; the bird communities supported by the most important tree species; types of woodland or marginal habitats; problems of woodland bird populations and changing environment; the role of woodland bird song and the place of birds in modern forestry. He concludes with an invaluable species by species account of British woodland birds, giving details, for each, of its status and habitats within the British Isles. It is a book of absorbing interest to bird watchers throughout the country". Another superb title in this extensive, and uniformly high-quality series*. This is Iolo Williams' copy, signed and dated on the front end-paper.