Beguiled by Birds Ian Wallace on British Birdwatching

This book takes a personal and reflective look at the history and development of birdwatching in Britain. Over its long history, the study of birds has undergone dramaticchanges in ideology and methodology, as the technological expertiseavailable to us has grown and our understanding and appreciation ofnatural systems and the natural world has evolved. Birdwatching is nolonger the preserve of 'men of science', but is a hugely popular hobby amongthe general public. The mainstream birdwatching magazines areincreasingly tackling complex issues such as phylogeny and speciationas well as publishing extremely sophisticated identification articlesand raising the profile of great birdwatching destinations around theworld. Ian Wallace's account of the history of birdwatching in Britain is interspersed with numerous (and sometimes controversial) anecdotes which enhance the appeal of his engaging and entertaining text.This delightful book is enlivened throughout with the author's owncharming colour paintings, and will appeal to everyone with anyinterest in birds and birdwatching in Britain.