The Illustrated Dictionary of Australian Birds

by Common Name

by J. D. Macdonald

Line drawings by Peter Slater

Photographs by Raoul Slater

Reed Books, 1987, [First Edition], ISBN 0730101843, full page colour plates, black and white drawings, hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, minor edge and shelf wear, a little rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, no inscriptions, dustjacket shows a little edge and shelf wear with a little rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, slightly sunned spine (see photographs)

“Most birds have common names other than those given in current standard bird books.  They can be popular names or nicknames, like mickey and old soldier for the noisy miner, gold digger for the rainbowbird, Christ-bird for the lily-trotter or jacana; or they can be old names either obsolete or seldom used, like great brown kingfisher and laughing jackass for the kookaburra.  Because there was no written native language there are very few Aboriginal names (e.g. brolga and galah, but not emu which, curiously, originated in Arabia).  The Illustrated Dictionary of Australian Birds by Common Name clarifies these uncertainties by referring each name, when necessary, to one in present use where basic descriptive data provides an aid to identification.  Additionally, notes are given, where possible, on the origin and meaning of names.
With over 3500 dictionary entries, 81 descriptive line drawings and 89 general location maps, The Illustrated Dictionary of Australian Birds by Common Name is the perfect companion for all interested in birds.”