Remarkable birds of South Africa is not meant to be a field guide, but rather gives the reader an overview of the huge variety of birds right on our doorstep. Arranged in taxonomic order, it provides the reader with fascinating notes about the weird and wonderful lives and habits of many bird families or species. There is information on their appearance, voice, preferred habitat, distribution, feeding behaviour, breeding method and much more. Each family is illustrated with carefully chosen full colour photographs. This title is a celebration of our great avian diversity. But sadly, many of South Africa's bird species are endangered and even face extinction due to habitat modification and human disturbance. Remarkable Birds offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of birds and hopefully this title will contribute to knowledge and interest in the remarkable diversity of birds with which South Africa has been blessed.

THE COCKER; Containing Every Information to the Breeders and Amateurs Of that Noble Bird, THE GAME COCK. By W. Sketchley. Originally published in 1814, this rare early work on the Game Cock is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have republished it, using the original text and engravings. The author was born and bred in Staffordshire, a part of the country high in repute for its love of the Game Cock and Cocking. This important historical work contains a wealth of knowledge and experience gained over a period of fifty years as a top breeder of fighting cocks. The book's one hundred and fifty four pages are divided into two sections. The first contains detailed chapters on: Breeding. - Trials. - Remarks on the Change in Constitution. - Remarks on Steady Breeding. - The Necessity of Making Trials. - Bad Constitution in Cocks. - Some Favourite Breeds of Cocks. - Cockfeeders. - Cock Match Articles and Rules. - More Remarks on Breeding. - Matching etc. The second section consists of specially designed pages for keeping records: Pedigrees of Brood Cocks, Hens, or Pullets. - Names and Characters of Cocks. - Accounts of Cocks. - Bags in stock. - Memorandums. - Accounts. Having reproduced this book from an original first edition, the publishers decided to retain a small number of interesting hand written notes in the records section. These were made in 1825 by the original owner. This is a fascinating read for any Game Fowl enthusiast or historian, and also contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest poultry books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasinglyexpensive. Read Country Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

You don't need to travel to experience the joy of bird-watching: just take a look at the pigeons in your nearby park! With this fun, quirky, and scientifically correct field guide to the most common bird in most cities, you'll learn to see pigeons and doves (they're the same thing) with a bird-watcher's expertise, understanding their fascinating behaviour and appreciating nature right outside your window. Part field guide, part history, part ornithology primer, and altogether fun. Fact: Pigeons are amazing, and until recently, humans adored them. We've kept them as pets, held pigeon beauty contests, raced them, used them to carry messages over battlefields, harvested their poop to fertilize our crops-and cooked them in gourmet dishes. Now, with The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching, readers can rediscover the wonder. Equal parts illustrated field guide and quirky history, it covers behaviour: Why they coo; how they flock; how they preen, kiss, and mate (monogamously); and how they raise their young (on chunky pigeon milk). Anatomy and identification, from Birmingham Roller to the American Giant Runt to the Scandaroon. Birder issues, like what to do if you find a baby pigeon stranded in the park. And our lively shared story together, including all the things we've taught them-Ping-Pong, for example. "Rats with wings?" Think again. Pigeons coo, peck and nest all over the world, yet most of us treat them with indifference or disdain. So Rosemary Mosco, a bird-lover, science communicator, writer, and cartoonist (and co-author of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid) is here to give the pigeon's image a makeover, and to help every town- and city-dweller get closer to nature by discovering the joys of birding through pigeon-watching.

Wildfowling is the most romantic, exciting and challenging of all the field sports. All wildfowlers have a little poetry in their souls. The majority of fowlers are thoroughgoing individualists. A typical wildfowler is a true hunter, bred and born - a lone wolf pitting his wits and knowledge against the wiles of some of the wariest and fastest birds on earth. Taking all this into account it is no surprise that wildfowling has fascinated a great many well known writers as well as inspiring many lesser known and even amateur writers to write with brilliance and passion about their sport. In this book I have attempted to select a number of gems and rarities of fowling literature from famous writers as well as including notes, articles and snippets from less well known, but nevertheless, enthusiastic scribes. This anthology will, I hope, help preserve some of the more obscure wildfowling tales for gunners of the future. Several of the post war wildfowling stories include those of writers who contributed to now defunct sporting periodicals of that era. Their stories I consider masterpieces of the genre and have been included for the benefit of future generations. In some cases it has been impossible to communicate with them or their relatives, who may contact the publishers if they so wish.

Chirp up your card games with the most beautiful birds in the world. Includes 52 playing cards featuring illustrations of birds ranging from the familiar to the exotic, plus two jokers. From the cheerful red cardinal to the majestic white swan, the imposing California condor to the flamboyant great blue turaco, these delightful birds may make you forget your poker face

Originally published in the early 1900's, this book is now rare and much sought after in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have republished it using the original text with its numerous vintage black and white photos. Four hundred and fifteen pages contain twenty eight detailed articles by well known Cockers and Game Fowl breeders of that era, most notably C.A. Finsterbusch, G.W. Means and D.H. Pierce. Contents Include: - Wisconsins Red Shufflers. - Blue Boones. - Grey Tormentors. - The Miner Blues. - Clairbornes. - Sid Taylors. - Black Roundheads. - Rhett Morgan Fowl. - Walker Mugwumps. - Gregory Tassels. - Red Cubans. - French and Belgian Cocks. - The Asil. - Mahoney Gulls. - Volunteers. - Malay Fowl. - Fardowns. - Grimme Fowl. - Hammond Gordons. - John Stone Fowl. - Cocks and Cockers in South America. - Secret Ways of Nature. - Steel Fighters. - English Game Fowl. - Alabama Roundheads. - Methods of Conditioning Cocks. - Experience in Breeding. Nursing Cocks. Assembled in these chapters is much comprehensive information on Game Fowl Strains, History, Records, Breeding and Fighting Tips, and many Rare Vintage Photos. This is a fascinating read for all Game Fowl enthusiasts and historians, but also contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest sporting books, particularly those dating back to the 1800s, are now extremely scarce and very expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

These intricate illustrations of birds and butterflies are just waiting for you to bring them to life

This is the most complete and authoritative reference book about the birds of North America -- up to date and in field-guide format.

The Birder's Handbook is the first of its kind: a portable library of fascinating information not included in your identification guide. For each of the 646 species of birds that breed in North America, The Birder's Handbook will tell you at a glance:

* Where the bird nests, and which sex(es) build(s) the nest;
* How many eggs the bird lays, what they look like, which patent incubates and for how long, and how the young are cared for;
* Food preferences and foraging habits.

You will also find information about displays and mating, wintering, conservation status, and much more. In addition, The Birder's Handbook contains some 250 short essays covering all aspects of avian natural history.

In an attempt to standardize elements of the station routine, the book describes the procedures used in passerine and wader ringing stations. It offers a comparative analysis of versatile evaluation techniques such as measurements, orientation experiments and monitoring. The authors meticulously analyze different methods used to track birds, including catching passerines with mist-nets in land and wetland habitat, as well as the use of the Heligoland trap. The monograph, as a successful bid to establish a bird station routine that is favourable to both birds and ringers, will benefit all professional and amateur ringers.

Accompanied by superb photographs, this ground-breaking book is the first practical field guide to record the Zulu names of bird species commonly found in KwaZulu-Natal. Where one name was previously used to describe a number of birds belonging to the same genus (i.e. ukhozi for most eagles), the need existed to give species specific names.

The authors hope this book will be used to inspire a greater interest, awareness and protection of the avifaunal heritage of KwaZulu-Natal. It is vital for the heritage of all South Africans that these names are recorded and made widely available. Noleen Turner, a passionate birder and honorary research professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in collaboration with Prof Adrian Koopman and Roger Porter, led this seven-year project, together with 18 expert Zulu bird guides from various parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

The recording, derivation and crafting of these names has been a lengthy but fascinating process. Turner notes that the project has included not only the consideration of biodiversity management, but also the pursuit of social ecology, the long neglected but crucial ‘people’s’ aspect of conservation. She said when it came to Zulu names for birds, they had to fill in the gaps, and of the 550 species analysed, some were confirmation of well-known names, such as inkazwi for the fish eagle; some were selected from the most commonly known names such as inkankane for the hadeda ibis. Some names were redirected: for example, the name for the Brown-headed Kingfisher indwazela became the generic name for all kingfishers (ndwaza referring to the motionless position while waiting for prey).

Other new names were coined based on appearance, calls, behaviour and distribution such as isankawu (the bird whose call sounds like a vervet monkey) for the Southern Pochard, or umacutha derived from the Zulu word cutha (meaning to draw the body tense) as the generic name for herons, which perfectly describes the bird’s behaviour before it lunges at its prey.

Originally published in 1972 this important falconry book is probably one of the best of its kind. The author was a respected falconer of many years experience and his sheer pleasure in the sport shines through his writing. Contents Include: The Mews - Weathering Enclosure, Bath, Blocks - Bells, Jesses, Clip Swivels, Lures, Hoods, Whistle - Hack Hut and Hack Ground - Eyasses, Treatment before Hack - Hack, its Advantages and Disadvantages - Eyasses compared with Passgers and Haggards - Food - Hooding and Manning - Taming - Flying to Lure and Use of the Lure - Hawking - Homing - The Moult - Health - Miscellany - The Gyrfalcon

Penvere is 'n versameling rubrieke deur die voelkenner Morne du Plessis wat enigeen - hetsy agtertuinduifbewonderaar of kranige ornitoloog - breed sal laat glimlag. In hierdie bundel word met 'n fyn oog en 'n skerp sin vir humor gekyk na die sonderlinge gedrag en gewoontes van verskeie Suid-Afrikaanse voelspesies, waarvan die meerderheid selfs aan die leek bekend behoort te wees. Van die hadida en die lemoenduif tot die mossie, koekoek en bosloerie - elke spesie bestaan in 'n unieke verhouding tot die natuur - en besit 'n magdom eiesoortighede wat soms nie veel van menslike gedrag verskil nie. Met sy pittige aanslag en skerp waarnemeingsvermoe, dwing die skrywer die leser om saam met hom verwonderd te raak oor die boeiende wereld van voels wat rondom hom bestaan, die natuur is te kosbaar en te breekbaar om dit huis toe te bring.

Contents Include: Ash, Common - Ash, Mountain - Beech - Blackberry - Blackthorn - Bluebottle - Bramble - Broom - Buckwheat - Burdock - Campions - Canary Seed - Charlock - Chickweed - Chickweed, Mouse Ear - Cleavers - Coltsfoot - Cornflower - Corn Spurrey - Cress - Dandelion - Dewberry - Dock, Broad-Leaved - Dock, Curled - Docken - Elder - Figwort - Flax - Gold of Pleasure - Goose grass - Grass, Annual Meadow - Grass, Canary - Grass, Rye - Groundsel - Hardheads - Hawkbit, Autumnal - Hawksbeard, Smooth - Hawkweed, Mouse-Ear - Haws- Hawthorn - Heather - Hemp - Hips - Holly - Honeysuckle - Inga -Ivy - Knapweed, Black - Knapweed, Greater - Knotgrass - Lettuce - Ling - Linseed - Mawseed - Meadowsweet - Millet - Mistletoe - Mountain Ash - Mouse-Ear - Mustard - Niger - Nipplewort - Persicaria - Plantain, Greater - Plantain, Ribwort - Poppy, Corn - Privet - Queen of the Meadows - Radish - Ragwort - Rape - Rat's Tail - Redshank - Ribwort - Rose - Rowan - Rye Grass - Sesame - Shepherd's Purse - Sloe - Snowberry - Snow thistle - Spurrey, Corn - Sunflower - Teazle, Wild - Thistle, Scotch - Thistle, Spear - Watercress - Way bread - Wintercress

POULTRY BOOK - A GUIDE FOR SMALL OR BIG POULTRY KEEPERS, BEGINNERS AND FARMERS By Harry Roberts. A READ COUNTRY BOOKS CLASSIC REPRINT. Originally published in the early 1930s, this extremely scarce early work on poultry keeping is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have republished it, using the original text and photographs. Two hundred and thirty three pages deal with every aspect of poultry keeping from egg to table, and will prove invaluable to both the backyard beginner and the larger commercial enterprise. Twenty detailed chapters contain much expert advise on: The Beginner. - Breeds and Strains. - Houses and Appliances. - Foods and Feeding. - Hatching. - Rearing. - Backyard Poultry Keeping. - Intensive Poultry Keeping. - Winter Egg Production. - Day Old Chicks. - Ducks. - Turkeys. - Geese. - Guinea Fowls. - Diseases of Poultry. - Vermin. - Egg Preserving. - Killing and Shaping. Plucking, Drawing, Trussing. - Marketing. - Accounts. Etc. The book is well illustrated with photos of breeds and equipment. This is a fascinating read for any poultry enthusiast, and contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the early farming books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

The ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material. This is the perfect pocket guide for keen birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to identify the most commonly seen species in Britain and Europe. Authoritative text and beautiful photographs show the distinguishing features of each bird, including notes on appearance, colour and distinctive features, and information on juveniles, range and habitat, nests, call and breeding sites. In addition, an extensive introduction covers general information on plumage, habitats and migration, and gives first-time birdwatchers advice on what equipment to buy and where to go to spot the most desirable species. This new edition builds on the strengths of the unrivalled original, covering over 200 species of bird found in Britain and Europe.

This spectacular new edition of the best-selling Helm field guide of all time covers all resident, migrant and vagrant species found in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. More than 1,300 species are illustrated with full details of all the plumages and major races likely to be encountered. Concise text describes the identification, status, range, habits and voice, with fully updated range maps for each species. This authoritative book will not only be an indispensable guide to the visiting birder, but also a vital tool for those engaged in work to conserve and study the avifauna of the region - East Africa shelters a remarkable diversity of birds, many seriously endangered with small and vulnerable ranges.