A Manual of the Birds of Australia

Abstract

AUSTRALIA, the birds of which have a foremost place among those of the world for their variety of form and beauty of plumage, has been fortunate in having two splendid treatises devoted to its avifauna, namely, John Gould's magnificent volumes, published between the years 1840–48, which are pictorially unrivalled among ornithological works; and the recent valuable and beautiful work by Mr. Mathews. Apart from these great and costly books, there has long been a want of a modern handbook on the subject at a moderate price, not only by those who are specially concerned with the Australian ornis, but also by students interested in bird-life generally. Gould realised this, and in 1865 published his excellent and useful “Handbook of the Birds of Australia” in two octavo volumes. From 1865 to the present time our knowledge relating to the birds of Australia, as of all other countries, has advanced prodigiously, and the old handbook is now quite out of date. Very fortunately, however, Mr. Mathews, like his eminent predecessor, has realised that an up-to-date work, within the reach of most, was greatly needed, and with Mr. Iredale has undertaken to supply the desideratum—hence this first volume of the four which are to complete the work.

A Manual of the Birds of Australia.

By G. M. Mathews T. Iredale. Vol 1: Orders Casuarii to Columbae. Pp. xxiv + 279 + plates. (London: H. F. and G. Witherby, 1921.) 3 guineas net.