BOOK REVIEWS 
BIRDS OF THE WORLD: 
A CHECK LIST 
by James T. Clements 
_ Two Continents Publishing 
Group, Lid., New York, 1974 
524 pp, $14.95 
A CODED LIST OF BIRDS 
OF THE WORLD 
by Ernest P. Edwards 
Published by the author, Sweet 
Briar, Virginia, 1974 - 174 pp, $9.00 
For many years there has been a 
need for a book listing all species 
of birds found in the world. The 
purpose for which such a book 
would be used by many is a con- 
solidation point for a life list. 
Therefore, these two books have 
accomplished this need and will 
be compared on the basis of use as 
a life list. As this reviewer knows 
both authors, no personal favori- 
tism will be shown. 
If a book is to be carried on a 
trip, Edwards’ book is much smal- 
ler and lighter. However, many 
birders wait until they return 
home before recording final ob- 
servations from notes taken in the 
field; therefore, size or weight of 
the book may be of little import- 
ance to them. Each reader will 
have his own idea of the order and 
selection of species. Both authors 
tend to include both species in 
debatable cases allowing the user 
to make the final decision and de- 
lete one if they wish. Deletions 
are easier than additions. Clements 
includes 8904 species, agreeing with 
Brodkorb rather than Mayr and 
Amadon who recognize about 8600. 
Edwards does not give a total but 
presumably it is in the range of 8900. 
In the matter of layout, Clem- 
ents, with more space available in 
his longer book, has the advan- 
tage. He lists the scientific name, 
common name and brief range for 
each species and leaves a space for 
the data and location of first ob- 
servations. Edwards uses a code 
symbol (letters and numbers) for 
each species’ scientific and common 
names and another symbol for the 
range. Each species’ range is much 
more specific in Clements. Edwards 
allows room for only a tick mark 
and perhaps a date. 
In conclusion, the reader is ad- 
vised to select on the basis of his 
needs. If space for notations is 
required and transport is no prob- 
lem, Clements’ book is the best 
choice. If the book is to be carried 
on overseas flights and merely a 
tick mark is needed, Edwards will 
suffice. Since Edwards’ book is a 
limited edition, it will be hard to 
find in a book shop to enable one 
to make a direct comparison. 
—Peter C. Petersen 
OKAVANGO ADVENTURE: iN 
SEARCH OF ANIMALS IN 
SOUTHERN AFRICA 
by Jeremy Mallinson 
forward by Gerald Durrell 
W.W. Norton and Co., 1974 
208 pp, $6.95 
As our wildlife disappears from 
the earth, it seems more and more 
books about Africa and our en- 
dangered species appear upon the 
scene. Mr. Mallinson is Zoological 
Director of the Jersey Wildlife 
Trust in the Channel Islands. This 
expedition took him through East 
Africa and Zambia and into the 
mountain areas of Rhodesia. He 
traveled through the swamps and 
lakes of the Botswana territory and 
it is this country which occupies 
the major part of his adventure. 
He developed a deep friendship 
with a lioness named Chinky, who 
came to an early death during the 
late stages of pregnancy while in 
the zoo in Jersey. He has adven- 
tures with Cheetahs, Hyenas, 
Baboons and crocodiles. Mallinson 
feels that “by captive breeding and 
good management, zoos and other 
organizations handling exotic ani- 
mals could be almost self-support- 
ing, and would not have to keep 
drawing on the increasingly de- 
pleted wild populations.” 
—Raymond Mosiek 
