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Under The Microscope

NEW ZEALAND'S NATIVE BIRDS OF SHORE AND WETLAND by Ralph Powlesland in association with Department of Conservation; Penguin Pocket Guides, 1997; 64 pp; $9.95
NEW ZEALAND'S NATIVE BIRDS OF BUSH AND COUNTRYSIDE, Penguin Pocket Guide; Penguin, 1996; 63 pages; $9.95

These Penguin Pocket Guides to New Zealand's Birds are beautifully illustrated and are arranged alphabetically by common name, which is a more useable format than the more usual scientific classification order of some guides. There is a brief introduction which outlines the reasons for the uniqueness of the New Zealand birds, followed by physical descriptions, up-to-date distribution information and enough plumage, behaviour and nesting information to distinguish birds which look similar.

The text is brief, but the flick-book nature of the books would make them very useable for any nature lover.