I teach ornithology and have had a great deal of difficulty
justifying the purchase of the ornithology texts currently available.
Several years ago I started using the Birder's Handbook and found that it
is a versatile book that has been well received by my students. The essays
are informative and if I am talking about speciation, there is at least 10
essays on sibling species, superspecies, etc. that I can assign. I love
Welty's text but it has become a reference and not a textbook. Before his
death, I thought I had him convinced that there is a BIG need for a SMALL
textbook. Instead, the Welty and Baptista edition got larger it seems.
Everyone that speak with has seen the ornithology course enlarge at
her/his school, yet the textbook publishers are slow to respond. I like
Gill but much the same can be said about that text.
Meanwhile, I will continue to use Ehrlich et al. Makes for
interesting pick up reading.
Bill
____________________________________________________________
| William Barnard Phone: 802-485-4691 |
| Professor of Biology FAX: 802-485-2580 |
| Biology Department E-MAIL:barnard at norwich.bitnet |
| Norwich University |
| Northfield, Vermont USA |
| 05663 |
|___________________________________________________________|
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From: "Jeff Price, NBS" <pricej at MAIL.FWS.GOV>
This is an interesting thread and one I think general birders can profit
from as well. When I took Ornithology we used two small books - Avian
Ecology by Perrins and Birkhead, and Physiological Strategies
in Avian Biology by J.G. Phillips. This was supplemented heavily with
required readings out of Lack's Dictionary of Birds and Feduccia's Age of
Birds (?). Pettingill's text was supplemental for the lab. This all
predated Birder's Handbook. Last time I was back on that campus I saw
the instructor was using Faaborg's Ornithology text. Interesting book,
heavier on the general avian ecology than most. I haven't had the
opportunity to really look at Gill's text. Has anybody seen Proctor's
new textbook?
Birder's Handbook is an incredible treasure trove of information (even if
most of the habitat info came straight out of the AOU checklist). Well
worth owning.
Jeff Price Internet: PriceJ at MAIL.FWS.GOV
National Biological Survey
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Phone: 701-252-5363
RR 1 Box 96C Fax: 701-252-4217
Jamestown, ND 58401
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From: "Anthony L. Lang" <tony at ZOO.TORONTO.EDU>
Proctor's Manual of Ornithology seems to be mostly a lab
manual and seems to be aimed at amateur naturalist rather
than advanced undergraduates. The material is given
at a level that assumes that you have not had an introductory
class in zoology. Interestingly, there is an accompanying
program for Macs called "Bird Anatomy" that leads you through
very basic elements of bird anatomy and functional morphology
(this must be purchased separately).
Anthony Lang, Dept. of Zoology | "Always keep your
Univ. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A1 | stick on the ice."
tony at zoo.toronto.edu | RED GREEN
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From: Rob Scott <ALBURNETT at UNCA.EDU>
I apologize to anyone to whom this does not apply to. I will keep it short.
As an avid birder, I am curious about the career fields of the members of
BIRDCHAT relating to ornithology and other wildlife. I have previously been
discouraged from considering these fields, and would like other information
other than what I have read in occupation books. Any information about
your career experiences would be of great interest to me, and much appreci-
ated. Please send e-mail to me directly. Thank you!
Amy Burnett Internet: alburnett at unca.edu
UNC at Asheville
110A Highrise
Asheville, NC 28804-3299
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From: Dori Sosensky <Dori_Sosensky at quickmail.cis.yale.edu>
As has been discussed before on this line the accompanying software to Noble
Proctor's Ornithology text is available on CD-rom as a separate purchase.
However, a scaled down version is available as freeware. You need a Mac and
hypercard in order to use it.
I have forgotten where the freeware exists but do have a copy obtained at a
freeware open house here at Yale. Pat Lynch who developed the software and did
the art work is in the Medical Illustration dept at Yale. I cannot offer to
E-Mail it (I did try it once and brought down Internet at Yale). If you would
like it send me a disk and an SASE and I will copy the software for you.
Dori Sosensky New Haven, CT
Internet: Dori Sosensky at QUICKMAIL.YCC.Yale.Edu
Phone: Wk: (203) 432-1341 Fax: (203) 432-7165
Hm: (203) 468-0357 (ans. mach. has no mess.)
Snail Mail:
161 Cosey Beach Rd
East Haven, Ct 06512