> As I begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel on my blackbird book
>project, I am looking at other projects to get hooked in on. One of these is
>a field guide project, and I would like some input on this.

Hi Al - Actually I think the biggest need in the neotropics is for guides to
areas not yet appropriately covered anywhere. With no real English-language
guide (other than books on South America as a whole) to Ecuador, Peru,
Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and (in part) the Guyanas, almost anything
decent covering these areas would be a real boon, whether it is large or
small. Given that not all of us can visit these areas a larger book with
more info can serve a double purpose (though I would really be loath to
carry big expensive books like "Birds of the High Andes into the fileld
anyway); but I also accept the value of things like the new East Africa
"illustrated checklist" which, though very limited, illustrates over 1400
species and would certainly be handy in the field. With "Birds of South
America" well on the way, a pocket-size guide may be more useful (though
Hilty and Brown is wonderful) AND may have the added advantage of being able
to be translated into Spanish or Portuguese for sale at low price to South
American birders. A "Peterson" that would stimulate birding as a hobby in
Latin America could be a great contribution to conservation.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein Phone: (905) 820-7886 (home)
International Wildlife Coalition Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116 (home)
Home: 1825 Shady Creek Court Messages: (416) 368-4661
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2 Internet: ornstn at inforamp.net
Office: 130 Adelaide Street W., Suite 1940
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5