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Rating: 
Summary: The Birds of Pennsylvania
Review: The Birds of Pennsylvania by Gerald M. McWilliams and Daniel W. Brauning is a special interest book, being a state distribution book, but is one that you should consider adding to your library. For those who like to read distribution books in general and those birders living in the mid-Atlantic states in particular, THIS IS A MUST HAVE. I fall in the former group and must say that of all of the distribution books that I have this is the easiest reading because of the writing style. It is also the most informative from a general perspective: For each family there is a basic information opening ala David Sibley's Guide to Birds. Then for each species there is a general status that discusses the species distribution over its entire ranage. Next is a description of the habitat in which the species is found. Then comes the information that concerns Pennsylvania in particular -- Seasonal Status and distribution. Next is a history of the bird in PA. Last is a comment section that gives id problems, endangered status, nest box requirements and placement to attract Bluebirds, etc. Finally are footnotes.Facts that I have picked up from jumping around in this book are: How cormorants differ from other birds -- they have their four toes connected by webs and THE ADULTS HAVE NO EXTERNAL NOSTRILS and breath through their mouths, p40. Why Waxwings are called Waxwings, p345. So give this book a look. I do not think you will be disappointed if you are into distribution books. And if not, this book just might get you into them! As to how it measures up to being a desirable distribution and status book for Pennsylvania birders, I will defer to Kenn Kaufman from his forward: "Now there is an outstanding book to fill that need." Kenn closes with his forward with "I congratulate McWilliams and Brauning on an impressive achievement and heartily recommend this volume to anyone who cares about birds." So do I. This review has been also posted on Birdchat, a birders listserver.
Rating:
Summary: The Birds of Pennsylvania
Review: The Birds of Pennsylvania by Gerald M. McWilliams and Daniel W. Brauning is a special interest book, being a state distribution book, but is one that you should consider adding to your library. For those who like to read distribution books in general and those birders living in the mid-Atlantic states in particular, THIS IS A MUST HAVE. I fall in the former group and must say that of all of the distribution books that I have this is the easiest reading because of the writing style. It is also the most informative from a general perspective: For each family there is a basic information opening ala David Sibley's Guide to Birds. Then for each species there is a general status that discusses the species distribution over its entire ranage. Next is a description of the habitat in which the species is found. Then comes the information that concerns Pennsylvania in particular -- Seasonal Status and distribution. Next is a history of the bird in PA. Last is a comment section that gives id problems, endangered status, nest box requirements and placement to attract Bluebirds, etc. Finally are footnotes. Facts that I have picked up from jumping around in this book are: How cormorants differ from other birds -- they have their four toes connected by webs and THE ADULTS HAVE NO EXTERNAL NOSTRILS and breath through their mouths, p40. Why Waxwings are called Waxwings, p345. So give this book a look. I do not think you will be disappointed if you are into distribution books. And if not, this book just might get you into them! As to how it measures up to being a desirable distribution and status book for Pennsylvania birders, I will defer to Kenn Kaufman from his forward: "Now there is an outstanding book to fill that need." Kenn closes with his forward with "I congratulate McWilliams and Brauning on an impressive achievement and heartily recommend this volume to anyone who cares about birds." So do I. This review has been also posted on Birdchat, a birders listserver.
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