Barnes & Noble.com - Used Books: A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America (The Peterson Field Guide), by Roger Tory Peterson, Paperback

Synopsis

Roger Tory Peterson had already made his mark with his innovative field guide when he conducted DDT research during World War II. His friend and fellow naturalist Rachel Carson built on these efforts and eventually wrote Silent Spring, a landmark text that, along with Peterson’s field guide, jump-started the modern environmental movement.
By combining the tireless observation of a scientist with the imaginative skills of an artist and writer, Peterson created a field guide that Robert Bateman, in his foreword to the fifth edition, says was the doorway for millions of people into the wonderland of natural history. The Peterson Identification System has been used in the more than fifty books that make up the Peterson Field Guide series. Peterson’s magnum opus, now in its fifth edition, created the trail for countless field guides to follow. They are still following year by year, but his is the standard by which all other field guides are judged.
On the morning of July 28, 1996, Roger Peterson was painting his final bird plate. He died peacefully in his sleep later that day. It is fitting that his final work—a culmination of more than sixty years of observing, painting, and writing—should be this one, a revision of the guide that started his legacy.

Booknews

This field guide for bird watchers features over 1,800 detailed color illustrations of birds of eastern and central North America with descriptions of their appearance, voice, habitat, and range on the facing pages. The brief notes on general range are keyed by number to three-color range maps in the rear of the book. A mini-tutorial on bird identification is found in the introduction. The late naturalist and artist Roger Tory Peterson developed the Peterson Identification System used by birders nationwide since 1934. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

More Reviews and Recommendations

Biography

Virginia Marie Peterson worked with her husband, Roger Tory Peterson, to research and create three-color range maps for several books in The Peterson Field Guide Series(R).

Customer Reviews

Reader Rating:
Ratings: 1

Write a Review

From Barnes & Noble

Roger Tory Peterson is a legend among birders, and for good reason. This is his final book -- he died peacefully after spending the day painting for this guide -- and it reflects Peterson's decades-long experience creating one of the most widely used identification systems for birds.

From the Publisher

Roger Tory Peterson had already made his mark with his innovative field guide when he conducted DDT research during World War II. His friend and fellow naturalist Rachel Carson built on these efforts and eventually wrote Silent Spring, a landmark text that, along with Peterson’s field guide, jump-started the modern environmental movement.
By combining the tireless observation of a scientist with the imaginative skills of an artist and writer, Peterson created a field guide that Robert Bateman, in his foreword to the fifth edition, says was the doorway for millions of people into the wonderland of natural history. The Peterson Identification System has been used in the more than fifty books that make up the Peterson Field Guide series. Peterson’s magnum opus, now in its fifth edition, created the trail for countless field guides to follow. They are still following year by year, but his is the standard by which all other field guides are judged.
On the morning of July 28, 1996, Roger Peterson was painting his final bird plate. He died peacefully in his sleep later that day. It is fitting that his final work—a culmination of more than sixty years of observing, painting, and writing—should be this one, a revision of the guide that started his legacy.

Booknews

This field guide for bird watchers features over 1,800 detailed color illustrations of birds of eastern and central North America with descriptions of their appearance, voice, habitat, and range on the facing pages. The brief notes on general range are keyed by number to three-color range maps in the rear of the book. A mini-tutorial on bird identification is found in the introduction. The late naturalist and artist Roger Tory Peterson developed the Peterson Identification System used by birders nationwide since 1934. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Details from Seller

ISBN: 0395740460
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pub. Date: April 2002
Condition:

Comments from the Seller: Turtleback Very good 2002 Houghton Mifflin Books Softcover(Trade PB) Edition. Slight wear to cover, text clean with strong binding. Ships Fast!

Table of Contents
Read an Excerpt

Map of Area Covered by This Book ii Foreword xi Preface xvii Acknowledgments xix

Introduction 1 Life List 14 Loons: Gaviidae 26 Grebes: Podicipedidae 28 Shearwaters: Procellariidae 30 Storm-Petrels: Hydrobatidae 34 Casual or Accidental Seabirds and Coastal Species 34 Pelicans: Pelecanidae 38 Frigatebirds: Fregatidae 38 Gannets, Boobies: Sulidae 40 Tropicbirds: Phaethontidae 40 Cormorants: Phalacrocoracidae 42 Anhingas: Anhingidae 42 Loons in Flight 44 Cormorants in Flight 44 Herons, Egrets, Bitterns: Ardeidae 46 Limpkins: Aramidae 52 Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae 52 Flamingoes: Phoenicopteridae 54 Storks: Ciconiidae 56 Cranes: Gruidae 56 Accidental Long-legged Wading Birds 58 Swans, Geese, Ducks: Anatidae 60

Swans: Anserinae 60

Geese: Anserinae 60

Geese and Swans in Flight 64

Whistling-Ducks: Dendrocygninae 66

Dabbling Ducks: Anatinae 66

Diving Ducks: Aythyinae 72

Stiff-tailed Ducks: Oxyurinae 78

Merganser: Merginae 80

Flight Patterns of Ducks 82

Accidentals from Eurasia 90

Accidentals from the Tropics 90 New World Vultures: Cathartidae 92 Caracaras and Falcons: Falconidae 92

Caracaras: Caracarinae 92 Hawks, Kites, Accipiters, Harriers, and Eagles:

Accipitridae 96

Kites: Elaninae and Milvinae 96

Accipiters (Bird Hawks): Accipitrinae 98

Buteos (Buzzard Hawks): Buteoninae (in part) 100

Buteos Overhead 106

Harriers: Circinae 108

Blackish Birds of Prey Overhead 110

Eagles: Buteoninae (in part) 112 Ospreys: Pandionidae 112

Eagles, Osprey, and Vultures Overhead 114Falcons: Falconidae 116

Accipiters and Falcons Overhead 118 Pheasant, Grouse, Turkey, and Allies: Phasianidae 120 Grouse, etc.: Tetraoninae 122 New World Quails: Odontophoridae 124 Ducklike Swimmers (Coots, Gallinules):

Rallidae (in part) 126 Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Rallidae 128 Plovers: Charadriidae 132

Plovers and Turnstone in Flight 136 Large Shorebirds in Flight 144 Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae 146 Avocets and Stilts: Recurvirostridae 146 Sandpipers and Phalaropes: Scolopacidae 150

“Peeps” 158

Snipe, Sandpipers, etc., in Flight 160

Sandpipers, Phalaropes in Flight 162

Phalaropes: Phalaropodinae 164 Accidental Shorebirds from Eurasia 166 Jaegers: Stercorariidae 170 Gulls: Laridae 172

Small Hooded Gulls: Adults 180

Immature Gulls: Larger Species 182

Immature Gulls: Smaller Species 184 Terns: Sterninae 186 Skimmers: Rynchopinae 190 Auks, etc.: Alcidae 192 Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae 196 Parrots, Parakeets: Psittacidae 198 Cuckoos: Cuculidae 200 Owls: Strigidae and Tytonidae 202 Nighthawks, Nightjars: Caprimulgidae 208 Nighthawks: Caprimulgidae 210 Hummingbirds: Trochilidae 212 Kingfishers: Alcedinidae 214 Woodpeckers: Picidae 216 Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae 222 Accidental Flycatchers 228 Larks: Alaudidae 230 Pipits: Motacillidae 230 Swallows: Hirundinidae 232 Swifts: Apodidae 234 Chickadees and Titmice: Paridae 236 Nuthatches: Sittidae 238 Creepers: Certhiidae 238 Wrens: Troglodytidae 240 Gnatcatchers (Polioptilinae) and Kinglets (Regulidae) 242 Bulbuls: Pycnonotidae 242 Thrushes: Turdidae 244 Mockingbirds and Thrashers: Mimidae 248 Crows, Jays, etc.: Corvidae 252 Shrikes: Laniidae 254 Waxwings: Bombycillidae 254 Vireos: Vireonidae 256 Wood-Warblers: Parulidae 260

Confusing Fall Warblers 278 Tanagers: Thraupidae 282 Grosbeaks, Finches, Sparrows, Buntings:

Fringillidae, Emberizidae, Cardinalidae 284 Blackbirds, Orioles, etc.: Icteridae 310 Starlings: Sturnidae 312

Orioles 316 Old World Sparrows: Passeridae 318 Miscellaneous Finchlike Birds 318 South Texas Specialties 320 More South Texas Specialties 322 Accidentals from the Tropics 324 Accidentals and Escapes from Eurasia 326 Exotics 328

Range Maps 333 Index of Scientific Names 411 Index of Common Names 419

Read an Excerpt

CHIMNEY SWIFT Chaetura pelagica Common 5-51-2" (12-14 cm) Like a cigar with wings. A blackish swallowlike bird with long, slightly curved, stiff wings and stubby tail. It appears to beat its wings not in unison but alternately (actually this is an illusion); effect is more batlike, unlike skimming of swallows. They seem to fairly twinkle, gliding between spurts, holding wings bowed in a crescent. Voice: Loud, rapid, ticking or twittering notes. Range: S. Canada to Gulf of Mexico. Winters in Peru. Habitat: Open sky, especially over cities, towns; nests and roosts in chimneys (originally in large hollow trees and cliff crevices).

Text copyright © 2002 by the Marital Trust B u/a Roger Tory Peterson and the Estate of Virginia Peterson. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.

A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America (The Peterson Field Guide) by Roger Tory Peterson, Virginia Marie Peterson

BUY IT USED from CPK Sales

BUY IT NEW

Synopsis

Booknews

Biography

Customer Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

From the Publisher

Booknews

Details from Seller

Table of Contents

Read an Excerpt

New Books by This Author

Popular Categories:

B&N Services

Shipping & Delivery

Quick Help