34 
alchata "found in forests"! Some of the skins in national 
collections ought to be re-examined (e.g. Goliath Heron Ardea 
goliath) . 
The publications by Wallace have been justly recognised as important 
in the introduction, but for many species they were in fact 
disregarded. The valuable work by Hollom (1959) was also largely 
ignored, while other publications constantly quoted in the 
check-list (e.g. Alo-nia 1976) are -Tilssing froTi the list of 
ref e rences . 
The present check-list is a 'Publication of the University of 
Jordan'. It see;ns strange that this exercise in diligence - 
apparently produced exclusively at l:he computer desk - should not 
have been subinitted to the scrutiny of expert field ornithologists. 
So far, the latter seem to exist only in foreign countries, 
especially in Europe. Perhaps it was false national pride that led 
to a scientific publication containing so many avoidable errors. It 
is to be hoped that a thoroughly revised new edition will follow 
soon. 
Jbrg Wittenberg 
Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. A companion guide by 
P. A. D. Hollom, R, F. Porter, S. Chrlstensen & I. Willis, 1988. 
280 pages. Forty colour plates and many line drawings. Poyser, 
Calton. £14.00 . 
"A much needed guide of unequalled excellence" is what the 
pre-publication blurb informs potential buyers. And although 
running the risk of preaching to the converted, I have to admit that 
Birds of the Middle East and North Africa definitely stands out in a 
positive way in the jungle of field guides currently available. 
The book is a coTipanion guide to field guides which cover Europe 
west of the Urals (notably A field guide to the Birds of Britain and 
Europe by Peterson, Mountford and Hollom) . Most birdwatchers 
visiting areas from Morocco in the west to Turkey, Iran and the 
Arabian Peninsula in the east had to rely on The Birds of Britain 
and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East by Fitter, Heinzel 
and Parslow. The present field guide is very much better than any 
other available guide and Hollom, Porter, Christensen and Willis 
have produced a book which will become an essential component in the 
luggage of even the lightest travelling birder in the area. 
The text for species which are excluded from or inadequately covered 
by PMH is lengthy, detailed, authoritative, up-to-date and 
surprisingly well-written. The typical esoteric birder's jargon is 
lacking, without having resulted in non-specific descriptions. The 
distribution maps are detailed and superior to the red- or 
blue-splashed rainimaps in the average field guide. The text is 
sparsely enlivened with technical line drawings,' of which those of 
