100 Birds and How They Got Their Names

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livre anglophone relié à couverture cartonnée rigide ancien (2002) consacré à l'éthymologie en ornithologie;chacune des 100 espèces sélectionnées (essentiellement nord-américaines) bénéficie d'u article court de 2 à 4 pages maxi illustré d'une gravure bicolore en tête; ces articles ne sont pas systématisés sans fiche d'identité ni carte de distribution, et font souvent référence au nom scientifique latin, aux anciens sobriquets historiques et parfois aux espèces proches de par le monde;à mettre absolument dans la bibliothèque de tout ornithologue ou passionné d'oiseaux; commentaire utile? merci de cliquer ci-dessous:

Judging from the above reviews, this is a well-liked book, and it certainly is a likeable book. I appreciate the many unusual tidbits of knowledge that the author has unearthed in her research. However, like the goose dung mentioned on p.89, it contains a good deal of poorly assimilated information, as well as some outright inaccuracies. For example, it is not true that "shrikes are the only passerines that prey on vertebrate animals" (p.223): check out the brain-eating habits of grackles, for example. And it is not true that "goldfinches were in America before thistle" (p.86): there are many native thistles in America. And it is highly doubtful that ravens "get at the meat by piercing through the eyes of the carcass" (p.204): I think any shepherd would tell you that they're just eating the eyeballs. I'll pass over the various smaller flaws in silence because nitpicking should be done before - not after - publication. A scientifically rigorous proofreading would have greatly increased the book's value. As it is, I can only praise it lukewarmly. I would remind readers that there are many masterpieces of natural history sitting unread on the shelves of libraries -- does anyone remember Edwin Way Teale?

The first time I read this book it was from my local library. I'm a gardener and am also drawn to small books so this really caught my eye. After reading it, I ordered a copy for each of my two sisters who also are gardeners. I thought they would love them; I know I did. I need to order a few more soon for some dear birthday friends. I could give this book to quite a few people! Actually, I need to order one for myself as well!

IT WAS A GIFT