WRENS, DIPPERS AND THRASHERS. By David Brewer.

2001 1st edition. Large 8vo (176 x 249mm) Pp272. Colour paintings and b/w illustrations by Barry Kent MacKay, maps, bibliography. Green boards, spine titled in gilt.

This is an authoritative and extremely detailed species by species account of all the known, and surprisingly numerous, species of wren in the world, as well as their numerous relations, including dippers, mockingbirds and thrashers. "...this comprehensive guide to the world's 83 wrens, 5 dippers and 36 thrashers [covers] these families in greater depth than in any previous single volume. ...All 124 species of these three families are illustrated on 32 original colour plates, and the detailed text covers all aspects of each species' identification, range, habitat, movements, status, geographical variation, voice, behaviour and breeding biology. Wrens, Dippers and Thrashers is an important addition to this highly acclaimed series of identification guides, and is set to become the standar reference work on these groups of birds." Chapters include:- Explanation of the species accounts; Classification and relationships; Conservation issues; Topography. These occupy the first 89 pages of the book. The next 160 pages are given over to detailed accounts of all the individual species.