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BOOK REVIEWS 
THE ROSEATE SPOONBILL, by Robert Porter Allen. Reprint (paper-back, 
July 1966) of the 1942 edition; xviii plus 142 pages, 20 plates (now black 
and white), 44 maps and figures. $2.00. 
THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER, by James T. Tanner. Reprint (paper- 
back, July 1966) of the 1942 edition; xii plus 111 pages, 20 plates, 22 maps 
and figures. $2.00. 
THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR, by Carl B. Koford. Reprint (paper-back, 
July 1966) of the 1953 edition; xiii plus 154 pages, 31 plates, 15 maps and 
figures. $2.00. 
Each book 642x9% inches. All original published by The National 
Audubon Society, now re-issued by Dover Publications, Inc., 180 Varick 
St., New York, N.Y. 10014. 
Bird lovers will welcome the reappearance of these three noted mono- 
graphs — until recently quite scarce — on our rare American birds. Since 
the first editions were published, these three species have had varying 
fortunes. The Roseate Spoonbill, thanks to energetic conservation measures 
and protection of breeding grounds, has made a successful comeback in 
both Florida and Texas. The Ivory-bill is now thought to be extinct, with 
not even a sight record reported for many years. The Condor, reduced to 
less than 50, is threatened by a proposal to build a road through its isolated, 
mountainous breeding grounds. 
Each book is interesting reading, crammed as it is with details about 
every aspect of the bird’s natural history — description, habitat, former 
range, nesting, plumage, current status, reeommended protection measures, 
and so on. The authors, each a noted ornithologist, were originally com- 
missioned by the national society to gather and present all the facts they 
could learn about each bird as a means of publicizing its plight. They spent 
as much as three years on location, often camping in the breeding grounds, 
spending days and nights of patient observation, interviewing local in- 
habitants, etc. The results were worth the effort. 
It is apparent from these three books that the chief danger to a threat- 
ened species lies not so much in hunting and nest-robbing as the encroach- 
ment of man, the advancement of civilization on breeding and feeding 
areas, the deforestation, pollution, and habitat alteration that goes on 
remorselessly. Birds like the California Condor and the Ivory-billed Wood- 
pecker have not been able to adapt themselves to changing conditions. The 
success of the Roseate Spoonbill in great measure is due to restoration of 
natural habitat through maintenance of sanctuaries. 
The extensive field research and energetic publicity sponsored by The 
National Audubon Society has not been enough to protect the first two 
species, but has reaped a welcome reward in the recovery of the spoonbill. 
Let us all hope that the present massive efforts to salvage the Whooping 
Crane and the Bald Eagle will prove to be equally successful. 
Paul H. Lobik, 22W681 Tamarack Drive, Glen Ellyn, II]. 60137 
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