BOOK REVIEWS 
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, A PER- 
SONAL SELECTION 
by Eliot Porter 
A. & W. Visual Library, New York 
1975, paperbound, 140p., 64 color and 26 
b-w — photographs, $8.95. 
In 1972 this book was published in an 
oversized hardbound edition at about triple the 
price of this paperbound edition of more 
standard dimensions. Some photographs have 
been cropped slightly but the birds are the 
same size and the sharpness is close to that of 
the original edition or equal. Porter.has been 
one of the top bird photographers in the 
country for many years and this book is a good 
sampler of his work. The text consists of a 
narrative of the author’s experiences taking the 
photographs plus a sprinkle of background 
information on his subjects. This edition has 
put the book within the reach of almost every- 
one. 
— Peter C. Petersen 
A.B.A. CHECKLIST: Birds of Continental 
United States and Canada 
By A.B.A. Checklist Committee 
Chandler S. Robbins, Chairman 
American Birding Asso., Inc. 
P.O. Box 4335 
Austin, Texas 78765 
1975, 64p., $3.50. 
For the American birder, this new checklist 
is the basis for North American life lists. It 
lists the status of all 794 species which have 
been properly documented in Canada and/or 
the 49 continental United States and defines 
the geographic area of the American Birding 
Association — which does not include Green- 
land, Bermuda or Baja California as does the 
current A.O.U. Checklist nor include Mexico 
as will the forthcoming A.O.U. Checklist. 
Besides being a checklist, main features 
include an explanation of why the names of so 
many species have been changed and the poli- 
cies for acceptance of records. One problem 
regularly encountered by birders is the obser- 
vation of exotic species; the checklist provides 
clues as to how such observations should be 
treated. At the end of the checklist there is a 
summary of records of all 98 accidental spe- 
cies — those species for which there are fewer 
than 10 records since 1900. 
The checklist has space in the back for 
Annual Supplements — so that listers may 
keep their books up-to-date. 
— Editor. 
THE LIFE AND LORE OF THE BIRD 
By Edward A. Armstrong 
Crown Publishers, Inc. New York 
1975, 272p. 31 color and 225 b-w illustra- 
tions, $15.95. 
In a single well-illustrated volume Arm- 
strong summarizes the long and often close 
relationship between birds and men. Birds 
seem to have held a fascination for man since 
the time of the stone age. The author covers 
birds in prophecy, magic, fables, myths, 
sports, decoration, art, literature, economics, 
communications and as pets. He also delves 
into the evolution of birds and their flight, song 
and dance, all of which have influenced man. 
Endangered species are discussed and an ap- 
pendix presents a selection of great writings 
about birds. Although the text is oversha- 
dowed by the illustrations, it is competently 
done and appears to be very well researched. 
— Peter C. Petersen 
NATURAL RESOURCES AND PUBLIC 
RELATIONS 
By Douglas L. Gilbert 
The Wildlife Society, Washington, D.C. 
1975, 320p., illustrated with photographs, 
figures, and tables; $6.50. 
This book is the second edition of a volume 
by the same name published in 1971. It deals 
with the fact that no suitable management 
program for the nation’s natural resources can 
succeed without public support. Gilbert de- 
veloped the book to help conservation workers 
get facts accepted by the average citizen. 
Although there are many excellent books 
and articles on public relations, this may be the 
only book designed and written specifically for 
professional conservationists. It is much im- 
proved over the 1971 edition. 
— Lonnie L. Williamson 
