Alan Contreras
2254 Crestview Dr. S., Salem, Oregon 97302-5353
(503) 371-3458 h (503) 399-9912 w
acontrer at navicom.com


Posted to OBOL and Tweeters on an occasional basis with the understanding that in small doses this is acceptable under the protocols of both groups. Thanks.

This may be the last sale posting for a while unless I get an e-mail address at home.

Here is my current sale list. The prices include 4th class shipping, except as noted. Prices are in U.S. dollars and must be paid by cash or check. Refunds are available within ten days of your receiving the book. Discounts are available for purchase of multiple items, and it never hurts to ask if you like the book but don't like the price.

Ashworth, W. The Wallowas: coming of age in the wilderness. This is not a bird book, it is about a boy, later a man, who climbs and learns his way around the Wallowa Mountains, often the hard way. It is not even a natural history book although aspects of it fall in that category. However, it is so good (I have a copy and have read it) and so hard to find that I thought I would include it here. If it ever came back into print it would sell zillions of copies. I recently found two used copies for sale. One is signed by the author to some people and has a very good d.j. That copy is $18.00. The other copy is unsigned, v.g. inside but the d.j. is somewhat torn and chipped. That one is $16.00
Biolog. Vols. 1-14, 16-17. The publication of the University of Portland (and its predecessor "Columbia University") biology club, 1934-1951, missing one volume. Includes about ten articles on birds and ornithologists; the bulk are general biology and pre-med related. Includes article on early collector Edmond Currier, with a rare photo of him that even George Jobanek had never seen. $40

Chapman, Frank. 1921. The Distribution of Bird Life in the Urubamba River Valley, Peru. 135 pages in wraps. $5.00

Elgood, J. 1960 (1968 printing). Birds of the West African Town and Garden. Covers 100 birds of the region. 66 page paperback with color plates. $5.00

Cornell U. 1977. The Living Bird annual. One of the beautiful and informative series. This one has articles on Williamson's Sapsucker breeding behavior, seabirds of Puerto Rico, breeding strategies of birds of prey, breeding ecology of Wilson's Warbler in the Sierras, a fascinating piece on traveling with Fuertes in Abyssinia, nutcracker foraging, the Noisy Miner, the impact of people on nesting success, motmot biology and passerine growth. The color plates are a Wood Duck head by Sutton, Williamson's Sapsucker by Dilger (plate has pen mark), peregrines by Guy Coheleach, bustard head by Fuertes, Noisy Miners by Slater and stunning Blue-crowned Motmots by McGowan. Cover is intact but scuffed. $15.00

Farner, D. 1952. The Birds of Crater Lake National Park. Still one of the most comprehensive regional studies for Oregon, and one of very few for the Cascades. 185-page paperback, very good condition. $15.00

Fleischman, P. 1992. Townsend's Warbler. This is a capsule study of John Kirk Townsend's trip west overlaid on a specific warbler's journey north until they meet and the bird meets the namesake. It includes art and photos. Intended for young people it is nonetheless a great little book. Near-fine. $8.00

Gullion, G. 1951. Birds of the Southern Willamette Valley, Oregon. This 20-page reprint from Condor is a gold mine of information. Covers central Lane County. Gullion's record-keeping system was extremely thorough, enabling him to determine frequency of occurrence with great accuracy. Packed with detail about records. This is an essential reference for regional studies. $10.00

Japan. "Field Selection" paperbacks. Two odd little bird photo guides in Japanese with only the species names in English, but the photos are of stunning quality. Full frames of such things as Red-throated Pipit, Indian Tree Pipit, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Great Knot, Painted Snipe. One book covers water birds, the other land birds. $8.00 apiece or $15 for both.

Lansdowne, J. F. 1966. Birds of the Northern Forest. Folio size, text by Livingston. No offense to Livingston but this book and its companions are known for the huge, stunning plates by Lansdowne. This book has 56, from loons to Hawk-owl and Three-toed Woodpecker to wrens and warblers. Very good inside with slightly chipped dj. $60.00 postpaid insured. (Usual retail price of this OP book is around $100.00.)

Lawrence, G. 1969. 20th Century Botanical Art and Illustration. OK, not a bird book. 165-page paperback, unusual collection of biographical notes, photos of and work samples by the 20th centurys leading botanical illustrators. A catalog of sorts for an exhibition at the 11th international botanical congress. $12.00

Meanley, B. 1971. Natural History of the Swainson's Warbler. 90-page illustrated paper in wraps. USDI North American Fauna No. 69. Minor cover markings (owners stamp and catalog number) $15.00

Miller, Loye. 1950. Lifelong Boyhood. Loye Miller was a specialist in fossil birds but also contributed considerable knowledge to current ornithology. Includes a chapter on his visit to the John Day valley of Oregon in 1899. U Cal., hardbound with d.j. (some tears), very good inside. $18.00

Murie, O. 1979. Alaska Bird Sketches of Olaus Murie. Compiled and edited by his wife. 57-page oblong flexible-bound paperback. A collection of color plates and some sketches by the famous artist. Includes excerpts from his field notes. The chicks, eider heads and tern heads are especially good. $12.00

Neff, J. 1928. A study of the economic status of the common woodpeckers in relation to Oregon horticulture. The unique paperback that provides exhaustive details about the food habits of lowland Oregon woodpeckers early this century. Covers Hairy, Downy, sapsucker, Acorn, Lewis and flickers. One of the cleanest, tightest copies of this that I have seen. Cover slightly stained. $25.00

Payne. R. 1984. Sexual selection, lek and arena behavior, and sexual size dimorphism in birds. 52-page paper in wraps, AOU monograph number 33. $7.00

Pearse, T. 1968. Birds of the early explorers of the northern Pacific. Theed Pearse was a well-known British Columbia ornithologist. This book is a unique collection of transcriptions of the field notes of Russian, Spanish, English, French and U.S. explorers along the northern Pacific coast of North America; such people as Steller, Heceta, Menzies and Bodega. This book was privately published but in an excellent quality edition. Nowhere else is this information in one place. Hardcover with d.j., both very good. $24.00

Pough, Richard. 1957. Audubon Western Bird Guide. Crisp plates and an intact but faded dust jacket. For my money Eckelberry is one of the best bird artists of the last fifty years. Has owner's inscription inside. $18.00

Reed, C. 1965 (Dover reprint). North American Birds Eggs. The monster book of eggs (and nests), over 300 pages in paperback. B and W photos of most eggs, some nests. Atlasers have liked having this book available. $16.00

Roberts, Thomas. 1955. A manual for the identification of the birds of Minnesota and neighboring states. This is the 275-page reprint from Roberts' two-volume Birds of Minnesota. It is a very detailed description of plumages, molts and other distinguishing characteristics organized by families as a key. Also has some line art such as goldeneye heads, tern wings, scoter and scaup bills. Flexible binding similar to that of National Geographic field guide. Very good. $24.00

Thompson, B. 1933. History and Present Status of the Breeding Colonies of the White Pelican. Occasional paper No. 1 of the Wildlife Division, National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior. 84 pages paperbound. $15

Tuck, L. 1972. The Snipes. 400 page hardbound Canadian Wildlife Service monograph No. 5. Focuses on Common Snipe but includes information on others such as Jacksnipe. Everything you ever wanted to know about snipe, and then some, and then some, and.... $22.00

Watson, C. 1982. Index to Oregon Bird Reports in Audubon Field Notes and American Birds, 1947-1981. 79 pages paperbound. New. $3

Widmann, Otto. 1907. A Preliminary Catalog of the Birds of Missouri. Transactions of the Academy of Science of St. Louis. The first major reference for the state. This has the original paper cover (one small tear) bound in. An attractive, solid dark red binding with gold lettering on the spine. Very good inside. Owner's name written inside, "D. D. Moss, Columbia Missouri." $75.00