[obol] New Japan book

[Alan Contreras]

I have been grazing in the new Photographic Guide to the Birds of Japan and
Northeast Asia by Tadao Shimba (Yale, 2007, but just out here).  For anyone
interested in visiting that region, or who wants a modern guide showing
photos and range maps for every Asian delight that might possibly enter
North America and be seen here, it's a great resource.

Most species have 2-3 photos and if there are clearly differentiated
subspecies they are often shown.  Range maps are small but crisp and
readable; I can't comment on their accuracy.

Text is English and very well written.  I have come across a couple of minor
typos.

Most of the photos are of very good quality.  A few are too dark.  The
overall production quality is good but the trim job on my paperback copy was
poor, with the bottom trim nibbling the lowest picture captions for a few
species.

Interesting feature: now you can find out how many records of Buff-breasted
Sandpiper there are in Japan: vagrant status there is set forth in short but
basic fashion.

-- 
Alan Contreras
EUGENE, OREGON

McCain/Obama in 08 !

acontrer at mindspring.com
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