80
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Pocket Guide to Trees in Britain. By A. W. Holbrook. Country Life Ltd.,
1966. 248 pages, 56 plates. 21/-.
The object of this book is to provide a means of identifying the common
wild trees and shrubs to be found in the British Isles. While many
naturalists will have no difficulty in recognising most trees or shrubs in
summer, we are often at a loss in winter without the familiar foliage
to give us a clue. It is in this respect that the Pocket Guide to Trees in
Britain will prove of great use, for heavy emphasis is placed on identifica-
tion in winter.
A useful general introduction to the botanical terms and fundamental
biology of trees and shrubs precedes the alphabetically arranged species
accounts. Each type of tree is described in general, and in detail, figures
of leaves, twigs, flowers and fruit are given, and the general habitat. The
line drawings are clear and, while not perhaps works of art, are neverthe-
less helpfully simple. The numerous monochrome plates of whole trees
and shrubs are similarly useful in illustrating the habit of the subject.
This is a handy book for quick reference to common wild trees, and it
will prove of use to naturalists and countrymen whose inclinations lead
them to a need to identify trees.
Birds in Colour. By Bruce Campbell; illustrated by Karl Aage Tinggaard.
Blandford Press, 1966. 231 pages, including 128 colour plates. 21/-.
This book was first published in 1960 by Penguin Books; its re-issue is
a welcome event in the Blandford Colour Series. The illustrations, the
work of the Danish artist, Karl Tinggaard, deserve a wider public than
they previously enjoyed, and they are indeed truly beautiful. It is
pleasant to be able to record that they will be as helpful for bird recogni-
tion as they are enjoyable as works of art.
Bruce Campbell's text is concise and authoritative. The status in the
British Isles of each species is mentioned, and its habitat. A short descrip-
tion of vital identifying features follows, notes on voice and habits will
also prove useful in identification. Throughout, the emphasis is on
identification and recognition and, as 256 species are featured in the plates
and in text, this book will hold a strong position in the amateur's
pocket bird book stakes. Deservedly so too, for at a reasonable price one
can have both a useful and a beautifully illustrated book.
Bird Watching. By Peter R. Clarke. Newnes, 1965. 128 pages. 10/6.
Yet another bird book! This one, I suspect, is aimed rather more at
the beginner in bird watching than the expert. Possibly, as the publishers
claim, the more experienced bird watcher will find the book of value for
reference purposes, but I hardly think so. Its price will, however, put it
within the reach of the beginner, who will have many other calls on his
money for equipment, and the text is written in simple enough fashion
and with such evident enthusiasm for the subject, that it will help and
inspire just this class of bird watcher.