I didn't mean it to sound like this was all of the text for these species. These are just snippets from each write-up.

Rick Sussman






-----Original Message-----
From: Warblerick <>
To: 
Sent: Sat, Feb 19, 2011 12:59 pm
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Crossley ID Guide


Afternoon all,

 had more of a chance to peruse the new Crossley ID Guide this morning, after 
ooking through most of the beautiful photos. I spent a bit more time reading 
he text, and though Crossley says flat out that "I DON'T LIKE TEXT",  what he 
id write is rather interesting. Much of it reminds me of my very first Peterson 
ield Guide to the Birds, a Pre-1970's edition, for all of its anecdotal 
nformation.
 A few examples (so as not to spoil it for those who haven't gotten their hands 
n this new book yet):, in no particular order:
  "A singer with a big voice that has driven my wife mad (and I'm sure many 
ther people) as it endlessly goes on at any time of night or day"  is part of 
he write up for Northern Mockingbird.
  "Simply beautiful; the epitome of grace (it would have been at home in the 
ovie 'Avatar')"  --- Swallow-tailed Kite

 "Cruel beauty" --- Northern Goshawk (a particularly beautiful plate, with a 
ainbow!).
  "Pocket-sized and cuddly, you would love to take it home" ---N. Saw-whet Owl
  "Tiny round ball of feathers with a cocked stub for a tail---nothing else like 
t!" --- Winter Wren
  "Bouncy flight takes it nowhere quickly" ---Red-breasted Nuthatch
  "Mindblowing bill" ---Atlantic Puffin
  "Sometimes looks back and raises its crest as if to show it is worth 
ollowing" ---Lincoln's Sparrow
You just don't find writing like this in field guides anymore. Not only is it 
umorous, but much of it is actually helpful in a subtle sort of way, teaching 
ehavioral clues and emphasizing things to look at in the field, something 
eterson did in his early guides (though his later ones became rather stiffly 
ritten, emphasizing his plates rather than his writing). 
I gave it an initial 4.5 out of 5 but am edging ever higher, the more I look at 
t.
Rick Sussman
oodbine,MD



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