Hi Kerry & All
I am not familiar with the Byers book, but I wonder if you have considered
James D. Rising, A Guide to the Identification and Natural History of The
Sparrows of the United States and Canada, 1996? I use this book often. The
plates by David Beadle are well done and include subspecies and adult and
juvenile plumage. The species accounts include similar species, a full
treatment of plumage variation, voice, habits, habitat, breeding notes,
range, history, geographic variation and measurements. It also covers
Towhees, Bunting, Longspurs, and Juncos.
As an intermediate birder, I find Rising to be an invaluable resource. It
always seem to be very helpful in nailing an identification. I think it's
impact on my birding knowledge and skills is broader than just being able to
make the identification though. I think it has added to my understanding of
the identification process of sparrows et al, as well as all birds.

Cheers
Gail Spitler
Johnsons Landing, BC
mailto:spitler at direct.ca

----- Original Message -----
From: Kerry Turley <kdturley at bentonrea.com>
To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, November 25, 1999 11:10 PM
Subject: Bird book question.


>
> Is anyone familiar with the following book? "Sparrows and Buntings : A
Guide
> to the Sparrows and Buntings of North America and the World" by Clive
> Byers, Urban Olsson, Jon Curson. I'm thinking of purchasing it and would
> like comments good or bad. Thank you.
>
> Kerry Turley
> 304 E. Woodin Rd.
> Sunnyside, WA 98944
> ICQ# 9396464
> http://users.bentonrea.com/~kdturley/
>
>