Dale - this Brit strongly recommends none of the guides listed by the ABA,
even though some of them are quite good. Much better is Lars Jonsson,
_Birds of Europe_ (London: Christopher Helm/A&C Black), which has
outstanding illustrations of more plumages than any other European guide,
distribution maps with the main entry for most species described, and
coverage that extends to North Africa and the Middle East. Originally in
Swedish, available since 1992 in English, and now also in German. ISBN
0-7136-8096-2 - suggest you check it out.

James West