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California

The books are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top of the page.

USA

USA bird books

A Californian's Guide to the Birds Among Us

Charles Hood

2017

"As its sister title, A Californian’s Guide to the Trees among Us, did for arboreal varieties, this new guidebook introduces casual birders to 120 of California’s most easily seen bird species—native and exotic alike—as found in a mix of urban, suburban, and traditionally natural habitats. Full-color images and clear, direct descriptions make identification easy, and author Charles Hood supplements the essential information with surprising facts and trivia, including endangered-species recovery stories and the world record for grasshoppers eaten by one flycatcher in a single day."

A Natural History of California

Allan A. Schoenherr

2nd edition

2017

"In this comprehensive and abundantly illustrated book, Allan A. Schoenherr describes the natural history of California-a state with a greater range of landforms, a greater variety of habitats, and more kinds of plants and animals than any area of equivalent size in all of North America. A Natural History of California focuses on each distinctive region, addressing its climate, rocks, soil, plants, and animals. The second edition of this classic work features updated species names and taxa, new details about parks reclassified by federal and state agencies, new stories about modern human and animal interaction, and a new epilogue on the impacts of climate change."

Feeder Birds of Southern California: A Folding Pocket Guide to Common Backyard Birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

2017

"For bird enthusiasts, offering food at feeders is a way to enjoy a close-up view of target species while helping them survive and thrive. This guide profiles 40 common feeder birds found in Southern California, along with feeder types and recommended foods for attracting each species. Also included are comments about each species' habitat and behaviors."

Birds of Northern California

David E. Quady, Jon L. Dunn, Kimball L. Garrett, Brian E. Small

2016

"This comprehensive, 510 page, pocket sized field guide presents over 400 species, including their voice description, behavior, along with seasonal notations and most likely locations that sightings might occur. Over 600 vivid photographs provide visual assistance in identifying birds in breeding and often in alternate plumages for this region. Information is presented in an easy to read format allowing avid and beginner bird watchers alike to enjoy birding. The authors, California locals, add details that can only come from personal birding expeditions in northern California."

Birds Of Golden Gate Park: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

James Kavanagh and Raymond Leung

2016

"This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map of the park. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike. Researched by the Audubon Society of Golden Gate."

Field Guide to Birds of California

Alvaro Jaramillo

American Birding Association

Scott & Nix Inc

2015

"The American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of California is the perfect companion for anyone learning more about the natural history and diversity of the state’s birds and when and where to see them: 51 beautiful color photographs featuring 308 bird species in natural habitats. Clear and concise introduction, identification, and habitat text. Tips on when and where to see species. Organized by type of bird from waterfowl to finches. Table of birding sites and habitats. Complete state bird checklist, detailed state map, index, and quick index."

Finding Birds in San Diego County

Henry Detwiler

"A guide to birding in San Diego County, California. Descriptions and directions to favorite locations to find California specialties like Mountain Quail, Elegant Tern, California Gnatcatcher, California Thrasher, California Towhee, and Lawrence's Goldfinch."

A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert

Editor: Mark Alan Dimmitt, Patricia Wentworth Comus, Linda M Brewer

2nd edition

2015

"With a Natural History of the Sonoran Desert, this book takes readers deep into its vast expanse, looking closely at the relationships of plants and animals with the land and people, through time and across landscapes. In accessible language, more than forty scientists and/or naturalists examine the region's biodiversity, geology, weather, plants, and animals (from invertebrates to fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals), as well as potential threats to the species and habitats. The text is supplemented throughout with anecdotes, essays, photographs, maps, diagrams, and 450 finely rendered drawings. This new edition adds chapters on the Sky Islands, Sea of Cortez, desert pollinators, and conservation issues. Taxonomic nomenclature has been updated and new color plates and figures have been added. This comprehensive natural history, like the original edition, will surely become an invaluable companion for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, hikers, students, naturalists, and anyone interested in the desert Southwest."

Field Guide to Birds of the Northern California Coast

Rich Stallcup, Jules Evens

University of California Press

2014

"The northern California coast, from Monterey County to the Oregon border, is home to some of the richest avian habitats on the North America continent. Field Guide to Birds of the Northern California Coast provides a comprehensive ecological overview of this extensive and diverse region, and detailed discussions of the most common waterbirds, raptors and landbirds found there. Accessibly written and user-friendly, this guide contains nearly 250 species accounts, including seasonal rhythms and behavioral characteristics of each species, and is illustrated with 120 color photographs. Also featured are site guides to the most productive and accessible birding locales, with each coastal county represented."

Suisun Marsh: Ecological History and Possible Futures

Editor: Peter B. Moyle, Amber D. Manfree, Peggy L. Fiedler

2014

"One of California's most remarkable wetlands, Suisun Marsh is the largest tidal marsh on the West Coast and a major feature of the San Francisco Estuary. This productive and unique habitat supports endemic species, is a nursery for native fishes, and is a vital link for migratory waterfowl. The 6,000-year-old marsh has been affected by human activity, and humans will continue to have significant impacts on the marsh as the sea level rises and cultural values shift in the century ahead. This study includes in-depth information about the ecological and human history of Suisun Marsh, its abiotic and biotic characteristics, agents of ecological change, and alternative futures facing this ecosystem."

Birds of the Sierra Nevada: Their Natural History, Status, and Distribution

Edward C Beedy and Edward R Pandolfino

University of California Press

2013

"This beautifully illustrated and user-friendly book presents the most up-to-date information available about the natural histories of birds of the Sierra Nevada, the origins of their names, the habitats they prefer, how they communicate and interact with one another, their relative abundance, and where they occur within the region. Each species account features original illustrations by Keith Hansen. In addition to characterizing individual species, Birds of the Sierra Nevada also describes ecological zones and bird habitats, recent trends in populations and ranges, conservation efforts, and more than 160 rare species. It also includes a glossary of terms, detailed maps, and an extensive bibliography with over 500 citations."

Freeway Birding, San Francisco to Seattle

Harry G. Fuller

2013

"In Freeway Birding, San Francisco to Seattle, Harry Fuller describes in detail hundreds of birding sites beside or a short distance off the freeway. Now you can snag a few minutes of birding while you stretch your legs! His route goes via I-80 (or US101 to CA37 to I-80) from San Francisco to Sacramento (including the I-505 cut off), then up I-5 all the way to Seattle, Washington. Over 100 detailed maps, an index and informative essays are included. Why this Book? Harry approaches birding from a new angle, taking our busy lifestyles into consideration. His book mirrors existing regional guides but is geared for the birder on the road, including milepost data, which exit to use for which locale, driving times, seasonal information on species and road conditions."

Western Birds: Backyard Guide

Bill Thompson III

2013

"Inside, you'll find profiles of the 55 most common birds in the West, complete with large color photos, gender-specific physical descriptions, nesting and feeding information, bird call particulars, and interesting stories about each species. Thompson also introduces the reader to the basics of bird watching: essential gear, bird-friendly food and plantings, housing tips, and observational techniques. This guide covers Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and western Texas."

Ecology of Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii) in the Sierra Nevada, California: Effects of Meadow Characteristics and Weather on Demographics

Heather A. Mathewson, Michael L. Morrison, Helen L. Loffland and Peter F. Brussard

American Ornithologists' Union

2013

"Population declines in songbirds are often attributed to regional habitat loss and fragmentation caused by land-use practices, which might be further aggravated by climate change. These concerns are particularly evident in the Intermountain West, where riparian areas are considered a priority for conservation because of predicted reductions in winter precipitation and increases in spring temperatures. These climatic changes might increase the susceptibility of species reliant on riparian areas to regional extirpation from loss of habitat. The willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) is a California species of concern because of precipitous population declines in the past three decades. In 1997, we established a long-term research program to determine population demographics and the effects of weather events and regional-scale meadow distribution and vegetative structure on nesting success of willow flycatchers. We monitored territory establishment and reproductive success of 786 territories and 850 nests in meadows distributed south and north of Lake Tahoe, California, from 1997 to 2008. We documented near extirpation of willow flycatchers south of the lake and a declining trend in the number of territories north of the lake. Late-spring storms and low temperatures at the start of the breeding season reduced the length of the breeding season, affecting the ability of willow flycatchers to renest. Nest age better predicted nest survival than meadow-scale landscape and weather variables. Although weather parameters were not significant as a direct influence on nest survival analyses, our results suggested a weak negative relationship with increased snowfall. For our nest-scale model evaluation, over-nest vegetation concealment increased nest survival in large meadows but had little effect on nest survival in smaller meadows."

California Condors in the Pacific Northwest

Jesse D'Elia and Susan M. Haig

2013

"Despite frequent depiction as a bird of California and the desert southwest, North America's largest avian scavenger once graced the skies of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to British Columbia. This important volume documents the condor's history in the region, from prehistoric times to the early twentieth century, and explores the challenges of reintroduction. Jesse D'Elia and Susan Haig investigate the paleontological and observational record as well as the cultural relationships between Native American tribes and condors, providing the most complete assessment to date of the condor's occurrence in the Pacific Northwest. They evaluate the probable causes of regional extinction and the likelihood that condors once bred in the region, and they assess factors that must be considered in determining whether they could once again thrive in Northwest skies."

Sierra Nevada Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species of the Montane Forest Region

James Kavanagh and Raymond Leung

2013

"This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map featuring prominent bird-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike."

Birds of California

Todd Telander

Falcon Press

2012

Apocket guide that introduces the 180 most common and sought-after species in the state.

Birds of Southern California

Kimball L. Garrett, Jon L. Dunn, Brian E. Small

2012

"This pocket-sized guide features over 550 stunniing color photographs of the birds of Southern California along with their descriptions, voice, behavior, and where and when to find each species. Local bird habitats are described as well as the basics of observing and identifying birds."

Birds of Southwest Arizona, Including Southeast California

Greg R. Homel

2012

"This guide from Quick Reference Publishing gives 12 laminated, fold-out pages complete with beautiful photos and descriptions of the many birds found in Southwest Arizona and Southeast California. Detailed descriptions, habitat, range, and diet make this the perfect guide for any birder from beginning expert."

Alameda County Breeding Bird Atlas

Editor: Bob Richmond, Helen Green and David Rice

Mount Diablo Audubon Society

2011

Documents 175 species recorded breeding in the county.

Natural History of San Francisco Bay

Ariel Rubissow Okamoto and Kathleen M Wong

University of California Press

2011

"This complete primer on San Francisco Bay is a multifaceted exploration of an extraordinary, and remarkably resilient, body of water. Bustling with oil tankers, laced with pollutants, and crowded with forty-six cities, the bay is still home to healthy eelgrass beds, young Dungeness crabs and sharks, and millions of waterbirds. Written in an entertaining style for a wide audience, "Natural History of San Francisco Bay" delves into an array of topics including fish and wildlife, ocean and climate cycles, endangered and invasive species, and the path from industrialization to environmental restoration. More than sixty scientists, activists, and resource managers share their views and describe their work - tracing mercury through the aquatic ecosystem, finding ways to convert salt ponds back to tidal wetlands, anticipating the repercussions of climate change, and more. Fully illustrated and packed with stories, quotes, and facts, the guide also tells how San Francisco Bay sparked an environmental movement that now reaches across the country."

Illustrated Guide to Common Animals of the East Bay Hills

UC Botanical Garden

2011

Seeking Refuge: Birds and Landscapes of the Pacific Flyway

Robert M. Wilson

2010

"Each fall and spring, millions of birds travel the Pacific Flyway, the westernmost of the four major North American bird migration routes. The landscapes they cross vary from wetlands to farmland to concrete, inhabited not only by wildlife but also by farmers, suburban families, and major cities. In the twentieth century, farmers used the wetlands to irrigate their crops, transforming the landscape and putting migratory birds at risk. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service responded by establishing a series of refuges that stretched from northern Washington to southern California. What emerged from these efforts was a hybrid environment, where the distinctions between irrigated farms and wildlife refuges blurred. Management of the refuges was fraught with conflicting priorities and practices. Farmers and refuge managers harassed birds with shotguns and flares to keep them off private lands, and government pilots took to the air, dropping hand grenades among flocks of geese and herding the startled birds into nearby refuges. Such actions masked the growing connections between refuges and the land around them. "Seeking Refuge" examines the development and management of refuges in the wintering range of migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. Although this is a history of efforts to conserve migratory birds, the story Robert Wilson tells has considerable salience today. Many of the key places migratory birds use - the Klamath Basin, California's Central Valley, the Salton Sea - are sites of recent contentious debates over water use. Migratory birds connect and depend on these landscapes, and farmers face pressure as water is reallocated from irrigation to other purposes."

Breeding Bird Atlas of Contra Costa County

Brad Schram

Mount Diablo Audubon Society

2009

This book includes current and historical status, life history information, conservation concerns, and range maps or each of the 161 species of the birds that breed in Contra Costa County.

Rare Birds Of California

Robert A. Hamilton, Michael A. Patten, Richard A. Erickson

2008

A 600-page book that synthesizes the work of the California Bird Records Committee from 1970 through 2003. Illustrated with color and black and white photography. Maps and charts of distributions, and the interpretive text.

California Bird Species of Special Concern

A ranked assessment of species, subspecies, and distinct populations of birds of immediate conservation concern in California

Editor: W. David Shuford and Thomas Gardali

Western Field Ornithologists / California Department of Fish and Game

2008

"Within the 450 pages of the book, the authors provide a summary of the status of California's at-risk bird species using the latest data to describe current populations, ranges, and threats. Birds of all types, including seabirds, raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl, and perching birds are represented on the list. Habitats with high numbers of special concern birds include wetlands, scrublands, grasslands, and riparian forests - all habitats with the highest rates of loss in California. The California Bird Species of Special Concern is an important step toward raising awareness of the conservation needs of California's birds among the public, conservationists, biologists, and planners in California. This volume can help prioritize and guide how research and conservation projects are conducted to ensure that the birds and habitats we all depend on survive into the future."

The Peregrine Falcons of Morro Rock: A 40-Year History: 1967-2007

Steve Schubert

2008

"The peregrine falcons of Morro Rock, located along the coast of Central California, have been admired and observed by travelers and visitors from around the world, and is one of the most well-known peregrine falcon nesting sites in North America. This 40-year history chronicles the yearly efforts of nest site attendants and endangered species management techniques - captive breeding, double clutching, captive hatching of thin, fragile wild eggs, and fostering falcon chicks into the wild nests - that has assisted in the recovery of a once imperiled species."

Natural History of the Point Reyes Peninsula

Jules G Evens

University of California Press

2nd edition

2008

"Evens thoroughly investigates the climate, geology, and flora and fauna of Point Reyes, giving special attention to its most characteristic species and their ecological relationships. He delves into the past as well, evoking images of salmon-swollen creeks, herds of elk, and canyons echoing with the cries of cougars to enliven our imagination and set the stage as he traces the changes that have occurred at Point Reyes since the first Spanish explorers visited its shores in the late 1500s. Extensively illustrated with color photographs, original illustrations, and maps, the book also includes species lists for the reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, common invertebrates, fish, and plants found on the peninsula today, making it an essential companion for anyone who plans to visit one of California's most unique natural areas."

A Birder's Guide to Southern California

Brad Schram

American Birding Association

2007

A detailed guide to the birds and birding sites of Southern California.

Field Guide to Owls of California and the West

Hans Peeters

University of California Press

2007

" This accessible guide, full of intriguing anecdotes, covers all 19 species of owls occurring in North America. More than an identification guide, "Field Guide to Owls of California and the West" describes the biology and behavior of owls to make finding and identifying them easier and watching them more enjoyable. The guide also explores the conservation challenges that owls face and tells how owls provide insights to scientists working in fields from technology to health. It: includes color plates which illustrate each species; features range maps which show the western distribution of North America's owls, 14 of which occur in California; offers tips for finding and watching owls; gives information on how to design, place, and maintain nest boxes; and, describes human attitudes toward owls through history, including in Native American cultures of the West."

Breeding Bird Atlas of Santa Clara County

William G. Bousman

2007

Based on fieldwork in Santa Clara County from 1987 to 1993, plus additional field observations from 1994 to 2005. Includes illustrations, in-depth descriptions, and detailed breeding maps.

At-Sea Distribution and Abundance of Seabirds off Southern California: A 20-Year Comparison

Editors: J.W. Mason, G.J. McChesney, W.R. McIver, H.R. Carter, J.Y. Takekawa, R.T. Golightly, J.T. Ackerman, D.L. Orthmeyer, W.M. Perry, J.L. Yee, M.O. Pierson, and M.D. McCrary

Cooper Ornithological Society

2007

Comprises three main sections; research methods, species accounts and supporting data.

Birds of the Los Angeles Region

Kimball L. Garrett, Jon L. Dunn, Bob Morse

2006

A pocket-sized photographic guide with full-page color photographs of over 300 birds that live in the Los Angeles area.

Field Guide to Birds: California

Editor: Mel Baughman

2005

A pocket-sized guide that features 200 specimens.

Introduction to Birds of the Southern California Coast

Joan Easton Lentz

University of California Press

2005

"This easy-to-use, concise, informative guide is a must for anyone who wants to leave behind Southern California's noisy freeways and crowded beaches in search of the wild places where birds can be found. An excellent introduction, an indispensable regional guide, and a perfect companion for excursions from San Luis Obispo County to the Mexican border, it is designed to familiarize birdwatchers, hikers, naturalists, residents, and travelers with the appearance and behavior of 120 of the most common coastal birds. Features include: 120 superb color plates and lifelike habitat drawings that depict birds in their natural surroundings; sixteen maps show numerous birding sites accompanied by detailed directions; species accounts include information on the abundance and seasonal status of each bird and give intriguing natural history details; and, introductory sections describe the coastal habitats of Southern California, provide tips for beginning birdwatchers, and discuss the basics of bird behavior."

Introduction to California Birdlife

Jules Evens and Ian Tait

University of California Press

2005

" This beautifully illustrated book, the first based on the relationship between birds and their habitats, is the definitive introduction to California's varied birds and the lives they lead."Introduction to California Birdlife" describes the representative birds in California's seven major bioregions: ocean, seashore, coastal ranges, Central Valley, mountains and foothills, Great Basin, and deserts. It explains key relationships among weather patterns, plant communities, and the ecological rhythms of these habitats and shows how these factors relate to the distribution, behavioral adaptations, and environmental challenges of its birds. It is the perfect book for beginning and intermediate naturalists, and in-depth enough for experienced naturalists who would like to learn more about the habitat affinities, ecological niches, and seasonal cycles of California birds. It features 150 color photographs that bring to life many of the birds described. It introduces the basics of avian biology. It includes a list of all California's known bird species and a glossary of birding terms."

Raptors of California

Hans Peeters and Pam Peeters

University of California Press

2005

"Featuring descriptions of every diurnal California raptor, this state-of-the-art, beautifully illustrated guide is the first to combine identification of these important birds with a comprehensive discussion of their natural history. Raptors of California notes well-established field marks in addition to introducing several new pointers that help distinguish especially difficult species. More than a field guide, the book also includes information on raptor anatomy, foraging, reproduction, movement, where and how to observe raptors, human-raptor interactions, raptor conservation, endangered species, caring for injured hawks, falconry, and more. Of special interest is the inclusion of previously unpublished descriptions of raptor behavior and many fascinating anecdotes and vivid observations from the field that provide new insights into the lives of these captivating birds. * Covers 27 species, with range maps for the 18 species regularly occurring in California * 104 color figures include photographs and wash drawings illustrating habitats, anatomy, field marks, and behavior * 12 full-page color plates show the various plumages of each species--including rarities--as well as their appearance in flight."

Introduction To The California Condor

Noel Snyder and Helen Snyder

University of California Press

2005

"The story of the California Condor - an awe-inspiring symbol of wilderness - is one of the most dramatic and contentious in conservation biology. Huge scavengers with wingspans reaching more than nine feet, Condors declined by 1985 to just nine individuals left in the wild. At that point, under a highly controversial program, the last birds were brought into captivity to create a population that could eventually be reestablished in nature. This engaging book, written by two scientists who were intimately involved with the Condor conservation effort, tells the full story of the California Condor, from the bird's evolution and biology to its captive breeding and subsequent releases, and its uncertain future. It introduces the largest soaring bird in the continental United States to a broad audience and at the same time presents an important case study of a critically endangered species."

Desert Wetlands

Lucian Niemeyer and Thomas Lowe Fleischner

2005

"In Desert Wetlands a distinguished photographer and a passionate naturalist document sites in the American Southwest and Mexico that are gauges to the environment. The wetlands included are Cuatro Cienegas Basin in Coahuila, Mexico, the San Pedro River in Arizona, the Escalante River in Utah, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, the playas and wetlands in Arizona, the Mohave Desert in California, and the Big Bend National Park in Texas."

San Diego County Bird Atlas

Philip Unitt

2004

Based on the work of over 400 volunteer in the field between February 1997 to February 2002. The atlas is illustrated with 468 photographs showing 89% of the species covered. .

Important Bird Areas of California

Daniel S. Cooper

2004

280 page book that describes 150 important bird areas in the state.

Birding the Southwestern National Parks

Roland H. Wauer

2004

A comprehensive guide to birding in the Southwestern national parks.

Sierra Nevada Natural History

Tracey I. Storer, Robert L. Usinger and David Lukas

University of California Press

2nd edition

2004

"First published forty years ago, this handbook has become an enduring natural history classic, used by thousands to learn more about virtually every aspect of this spectacular mountain range. Comprehensive yet concise and portable, the book describes more than 750 species including trees and shrubs, flowering plants and ferns, fungi and lichens, insects and fish, amphibians and reptiles, and birds and mammals."

Birds of California: Field Guide

Stan Tekiela

2003

Birds of the Salton Sea: Status, Biogeography, and Ecology

Michael A Patten, Philip Unitt, Guy Mcgaskie

2003

"The Salton Sea, California's largest inland lake, supports a huge bird population that is among the most concentrated and most diverse in the world. Sadly this environment is close to collapse from several environmental threats. This book describes the more than 450 species and sub-species."

San Diego Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species

James Kavanagh and Raymond Leung

2003

A 12 page fold-out laminated guide featuring images of commoner species.

Breeding Birds of Napa County, California

2003

An atlas based on field work that was completed in 1993.

Monterey Birds

Don Roberson

2nd edition

2002

544 pages covering 482 species with species accounts, range maps, bird-finding information, introductory information, and color and black-and-white photos.

Birding at the Bottom of the Bay

William G. Bousman

3rd edition

2002

A guide to birding sites in Santa Clara County and the Southern San Francisco Bay Area.

California Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species

James Kavanagh

2001

A 12 page fold-out laminated guide featuring images of 100 species.

Birds of the Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California and Southern Nevada

John H. Rappole

2001

A guide that provides information on identification, habits, seasonal occurrence, and abundance of over 450 species of birds found in the American Southwest.

Birds of Northern California

David Fix and Andy Bezener

Lone Pine Publishing

2000

A guide to about 320 species of northern California birds that includes descriptions, illustrations and range maps.

Watchable Birds of California

Mary Taylor Gray

2000

Covers just over 150 species.

Wild Birds of California

David Lukas

2000

Contributing photographers include John Hendrickson, Russ Kerr, Arthur Morris, Jeffrey Rich, Brian Small, Tom Vezo and others.

Birding Northern California

John Kemper

Falcon Press

1999

A birding guide that describes 81 prime birding areas, with 294 individual sites and 102 maps.

Natural History of the Islands of California

Allan A. Schoenherr, Robert C. Feldmeth and Michael J. Emerson

University of California Press

1999 / 2003

"Discusses both the human and the natural history of the islands of California, including all eight Channel Islands, Año Nuevo, the Farallons, and the islands of San Francisco Bay. Useful as a field guide for visitors, and details on reaching the islands are contained in the first chapter. Also explores the formation of the islands, discusses the history of human habitation, beginning with the Native Americans who first visited the islands 12,000 years ago, and provides a thorough introduction to the marine and terrestrial biotas of the islands. The authors also discuss past damage and ongoing threats to island ecosystems, including devastation caused by the introduction of nonnative animals and plants."

A Birder's Guide to Southern California

Brad Schram

American Birding Association

1998

California and Pacific Northwest Forests: A Field Guide to Birds, Mammals, Trees, Flowers, and More

John Kricher and Gordon Morrison

Houghton Mifflin

1998

A field guide that includes all the flora and fauna you're most likely to see in the forests of California and the Pacific Northwest.

Birds of Los Angeles

Chris C. Fisher and Herbert Clarke

1997

"An attractive guide that identifies the birds most likely to be seen in the backyards, streets and parks in the greater Los Angeles area. Introduces the fascinating and popular pastime of birdwatching. Includes advice on building feeders and birdhouses. Color illustrations help identify birds quickly, while the text provides interesting information about each bird. An easy-to-use reference for Los Angeles birdwatchers."

Birds of San Diego

Chris C. Fisher and Herbert Clarke

1997

A guide to the birds most likely to be seen in San Diego's backyards, streets and parks.

A Field Guide to Birds of the Desert Southwest

Barbara L. Davis

Taylor Trade Publishing

1997

A guide to the birds and birding areas of the desert and grassland areas of Arizona, California, and New Mexico.

Atlas Of Breeding Birds: Orange County, California

Editor: Sylvia Gallagher

1997

Guide to Birds of the Anza-Borrego Desert

Barbara W. Massey

1997

Birds of San Francisco and the Bay Area

Chris C. Fisher and Joseph Morlan

1996

A guide that identifies the birds most likely to be seen in the city's backyards, streets and parks.

The Birds of Orange County, California: Status and Distribution

Rob Hamilton and Doug Willick

1996

150 page annotated checklist.

The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America: The Far West: California and Nevada

Dwight Holing

1996

"The Far West includes some of the country's most rugged and beautiful land and wildlife, from the national parks to private reserves. The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America brings it all to life for you with 160+ full-color photographs of the region's diverse wildlife and scenery."

An Introduction to Northern California Birds

Herbert Clarke

1995

A 190 page field guide that covers just over 200 species.

Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas

Editor: Betty Burridge

1995

Birds of the Pacific Northwest Mountains

Jan L. Wassink

1995

"Bird-watchers of all ages and abilities will enjoy this field guide to 197 common and distinctive bird species of the Pacific Northwest mountains, including parts of northern California, Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia. Beginners will appreciate the book's easy-to-use format, while seasoned birders will delight in the fine full-color photographs of their favorite species."

Watchable Birds of the Southwest

Mary Taylor Gray

1995

"A full color guide to 68 of the South-West most fun-to-watch species of birds. Organised by habitat: Wetlands, open country, mountains and mesas. Covers Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah, Colorado, California and Texas."

California Forests and Woodlands: A Natural History

Verna Johnston

University of California Press

1995 / 1996

"Verna Johnston's splendid book, illustrated with her superb color photographs and Carla Simmons' detailed black-and-white drawings, now offers an unparalleled view of the Golden State's world-renowned forests and woodlands. In clear, vivid prose, Johnston introduces each of the state's dominant forest types. She describes the unique characteristics of the trees and the interrelationships of the plants and animals living among them, and she analyzes how fire, flood, fungi, weather, soil, and humans have affected the forest ecology. The world of forest and woodland animals comes alive in these pages - the mating games, predation patterns, communal life, and the microscopic environment of invertebrates and fungi are all here."

The Marin County Breeding Bird Atlas: A Distributional And Natural History Of Coastal California Birds

W. David Shuford

1993

Natural History of Big Sur

Paul Henson and Donald J. Usner

University of California Press

1993 / 1996

"Each year millions of people visit the area of rugged California coastline and wild mountains known as Big Sur. Finally here is a book that is both a natural history of this beautiful region and an excellent guide to its extensive public lands. The first section introduces the area's geology, climate, flora, fauna, and human history. The second section describes selected sites, trails, and features that are mentioned in Part One. Although Big Sur is world famous for awe-inspiring scenery, it is less known for its great ecological diversity and its significance as a haven for many species of terrestrial and marine wildlife."

Birds of Yosemite and the East Slope

David Gaines

Artemisia Press

1992

A Natural History of California

Allan A. Schoenherr

University of California Press

1992 / 1995

"In this comprehensive and abundantly illustrated book, Allan Schoenherr describes a state with a greater range of landforms, a greater variety of habitats, and more kinds of plants and animals than any area of equivalent size in all of North America. A Natural History of California will familiarize the reader with the climate, rocks, soil, plants and animals in each distinctive region of the state."

Natural History of the White-Inyo Range, Eastern California

Editor: Clarence A Hall

University of California Press

1991

"This colorful and authoritative volume assembles a wealth of information of deep interest to the hikers and scientists attracted to White-Inyo's altitude and isolation. The nearly two dozen contributors to the volume are leading experts on the flora and fauna, the geology, geomorphology, meteorology, anthropology, and archaeology of the area. The book offers descriptions of more than 650 kinds of living organisms, from the handful of fish to the abundance of reptile, amphibian, bird and plant species."

Birder's Guide to Northern California

LoLo and Jim Westrich

1990

A guide to birdwatching sites in the area plus a checklist.

Seabirds of the Farallon Islands: Ecology, Dynamics, and Structure of an Upwelling-System Community

David G. Ainley and Robert Boekelheide

1990

450 pages based on over 10 years research of the seabirds on the Farallon Islands.

An Introduction to Southern California Birds

Herbert Clarke

1989

A 190 page field guide.

Familiar Birds Of Northwest

Harry B. Nehls

Portland Audubon Society

1989?

Covers 300 species.

In Condor Country

David Darlington

1987

"Eastern San Luis Obispo County is an arid region of rolling grassland midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles that has historically been a favorite foraging ground for the rarest of North American birds - the Californian Condor. This book is an exploration of the character and history of that landscape, and of two brothers who are nearly as unique as the bird with which they have come to be associated."

Familiar Birds Of Northwest

Harry B. Nehls

1986?

Covers 300 species.

Birding Northern California

Jean Richmond

1985

140 page guide to over 70 birdwatching sites.

Monterey Birds

Don Roberson

1985

266 page guide.

Birds of San Diego County

Philip Unitt

1984

Birds of Southern California's Deep Canyon

Wesley W. Weathers

1983

276 page guide.

Birds Of Southern California: Status And Distribution

Kimball Garrett and Jon Dunn

1981

410 page guide.

The Avifauna of the South Farallon Islands, California

David F. DeSante and David G. Ainley

Cooper Ornithological Society

1980

Contents;

• Description of the islands
• Terminology and methods of analysis
• Species accounts
• Hypothetical list
• Discussion
• Breeding Seabirds
• Visitant Waterbirds
• Group 1: Pelagic seabirds
• Group 2: Neritic seabirds
• Group 3: Estuarine and freshwater birds: non-Charadrii
• Group 4: Estuarine and freshwater birds: Charadrii (shorebirds)
• Visitant Landbirds
• Group 1: Landbirds regularly breeding or wintering in coastal central California
• Group 2: Landbirds regularly breeding or wintering in interior lowland central California
• Group 3: Landbirds regularly breeding or wintering in montane central California
• Group 4: Landbirds regularly breeding or wintering in the Great Basin of central California
• Group 5: Vagrant landbirds
• Breeding Landbirds
• California Island Breeding Landbirds and the Immigrant Pool
• Summary

Rare Birds of the West Coast

Don Roberson

1980

Catalog of California Seabird Colonies

Don Roberson

Fish and Wildlife Service

US Dept Of The Interior

1980

From the introduction: "This catalog is a summary of the location, size, and species composition of seabird colonies along the California coast. It documents more than 260 nesting areas with a total estimated population of nearly 700,000 birds. ....... Seventeen species of seabirds from six families are discussed in this report. These include four species of storm-petrels (Fork-tailed, Leach's, Ashy, and Black), one species of pelican (Brown Pelican), three species of cormorants (Brandt's, Double-crested, and Pelagic), one species of shorebird (Black Oystercatcher), one species of gull (Western Gull), and seven species of alcids (Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Xantus' Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Tufted Puffin). In addition to population information in the maps and tables, species accounts discuss aspects of the natural history of each of the above species, emphasizing the California populations."

Raptors of California

Robert D. Mallette; Gordon I. Gould

1976

Social Organization And Behavior Of The Acorn Woodpecker In Central Coastal California

J.A. Douglas Flack

American Ornithologists' Union

1976

A 115 page study.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Description: Coloration, Molt, And Anatomy
• Research Areas
• Distribution Of Groups At Hastings
• Group Composition
• Foods And Feeding Behavior
• Spacing And Space Related Behavior
• Roosts And Nests
• Reproduction
• Population Dynamics
• Ecology And Evolution Of Woodpecker Social Systems
• Summary

Familiar Birds Of Northwest Shores And Waters

Harry B. Nehls

1975 (1973?)

Covers 106 species.

The Birds of California

Arnold Small

1974

A 320 page field guide.

Familiar Birds Of Northwest Forests, Fields and Gardens

David B. Marshall

Portland Audubon Society

1973

Covers 133 species.

The Distribution of the Birds of California

Joseph Grinnell and Alden H. Miller

Cooper Ornithological Society

1944

From the introduction:

"For sixty years the study of the distribution of birds in California has been the interest of an active company of western ornithologists. The present accounting seeks to embrace a large body of evidence accumulated by them. Of necessity it is a digest of their seemingly numberless observations and collections. In the course of time, repeated efforts to assimilate this information have led us to a kind of synopsis of distribution which stresses the habitat requirements of individual species-the critical factors of the environment which have direct bearing on their existence, and these in turn as cause for the patterns of occurrence in space which may be witnessed. Diversity of terrain and environment in the state of California not only account for the great number of avian species in the area and for the many locally endemic subspecies of them, but it leads to complicated outlines of range which in their intricacies reveal some of the causes for spatial limitation. All these matters must be judged against a background knowledge of the life history of the species. This information on life history is not related in this work, but it has constantly been used in shaping our statements about occurrence and habitat."

Bibliography of California Ornithology Third Installment to end of 1938

Joseph Grinnell

Cooper Ornithological Society

1939

From the introduction:

"It would be commonplace to expatiate here on the necessity of knowing the literature in any given field of study, especially before any attempt one's self to contribute in that field. Accepting the fact, I need only point out that our knowledge of birds in general, and of those of restricted areas, has been accumulating at, so far, an ever accelerating rate. Not only the numbers of printed contributions, but the numbers of vehicles of publication, have been multiplying. Without any sort of bibliography, the task of the beginning research student toward gaining a knowledge of preceding work in his chosen sub-field would be well-nigh baffling, even with the help of such indexes as may be currently available to a few of the periodicals. The present bibliography is organized to provide ready aids not only to the specializing student of Californian bird-life but to the average intelligent enquirer, whether local or at large."

A Revised List of the Birds of Southwestern California

George Willett

Cooper Ornithological Society

1933

From the introduction:

"Since the publication of Avifauna Number 7, in 1912, more than twenty years have passed. This intervening period has been one of great activity in the study of California ornithology, resulting in a very considerable increase in -knowledge of our birds, both as to their occurrence and distribution, and their systematic classification. In addition to this, when we consider the changes in bird population brought about by bringing under cultivation a large percentage of hitherto wild land, as well as by introduction of foreign species, it is clear that our bird list of more than twenty years ago is subject to much emendation. It has been considered worthwhile, therefore, to entirely re-vamp the old list and bring it up to date, so far as is possible."

Directory to the Bird-Life of the San Francisco Bay Region

Joseph Grinnell, Margaret W. Wythe

Cooper Ornithological Society

1927

From the introduction:

"A first thing naturally necessary in an undertaking of the present sort is to fix arbitrarily the limits of the region dealt with. The "San Francisco Bay region" has been determined upon by us as including the nine counties which border in any measure upon San Francisco Bay, namely, the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, and Marin; also the nearby Farallon Islands. The entire area of each of the counties named is taken into account. no matter how far from the Bay proper its limits may extend. However, as it turns out (see accompanying map) the area thus delimited is not so irregular as might have been expected; indeed, it proves to have a fair degree of avifaunal individuality, when comparison is made with other sections of California. In the General Directory, which forms the main part of our contribution, we have aimed to include all the species and subspecies authentically known to have occurred anywhere within the area outlined. We consider authenticity established when based upon a record in the literature, or a specific observation, made by an ornithologist of known experience, or upon one or more specimens of the species, with satisfactory data attached, preserved in a public or private museum. For reasons that it is unnecessary here to go into, the statements of sportsmen or of writers of so-called popular natural history have not, as a rule, been considered as providing satisfactory evidence of the occurrence of rare or unusual birds within our limits. This may account for certain omissions that the critical student may discover. At the same time, it is always possible that we have overlooked some really authentic 'record' that should have been included. No doubt we have; and for such lapses we have no apology to offer save that, by reason of the great volume of both published and unpublished sources that have had to be gone over, escape of a certain, though let us hope small, percentage of important facts seems inevitable."

Bibliography of California Ornithology Second Installment to End of 1923

Joseph Grinnell

Cooper Ornithological Society

1924

From the introduction:

"The present contribution may properly be characterized as a further 'report of progress' in the work, the first results of which were set forth in Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 5, issued May 15, 1909. That first installment of 'a bibliography of California ornithology' contained 1785 titles, all that were then known to the author, and covered the period from 1797 to the end of 1907. The present, second, installment lists titles for the succeeding sixteen years, that is, from 1908 to 1923, inclusive; and there are also given those titles that have come to the writer's attention for the years preceding 1908 that were not included in the first installment. The titles now collected number, all told, 2286. The entire number listed in the two 'installments' is 4071."

Birds Of The Pacific Coast

Willard Ayres Eliot

G.P. Putnam's & Son

1923

From the preface:

"Birds of the Pacific Coast is intended as a fieid book, giving the distribution and habitat, and illustrating one hundred and eighteen birds which are more or less common to all of the Pacific Coast states and British Columbia, and only a few that are rare or of local occurrence. Many of the birds described in this book may be found as far east as the Rocky Mountains, and some as far as the Mississippi Valley. The migratory habits of many of our strictly western birds do not seem to be as pronounced as among members of the same families along the Atlantic seaboard. This seems especially true of many of the warblers, bluebirds, thrushes, vireos, robins, wrens and purple finches. It would seem that our milder winter climate has something to do with this retarded movement of our birds during their southward migration in the fall. The plates are colored to show the males in full breeding plumage, and where the females differ radically in color from the males they are shown whenever practicable. Many birds go through a seasonal change of plumage which requires special study and observation on the part of the amateur bird student. No attempt is made to describe the plumage except to call attention to some striking patch of color that will serve as a distinct field mark"

The Game Birds Of California

Joseph Grinnell, Harold Child Bryant and Tracy Irwin Storer

Numerous drawings in the text

University Of California Press

1918

From the introduction:

In preparing the present volume the authors have attempted to meet the requirements of a varied public. The hunter wishes information concerning the haunts and habits of our game birds ; the naturalist wishes to have the completest possible data regarding their life histories ; the legislator who appreciates the necessity of judicious game laws wishes to have the facts that are relevant to his purpose presented in concise form; and the conservationist desires that information which will assist him in his efforts to perpetuate our bird life for the ultimate benefit of the greatest number of people. Whether the needs of these various classes have been adequately met in the following pages remains to be proved, but it may at least be stated here that none of them has been overlooked. To each of the four categories of persons above mentioned, this book is offered as a working manual.

Birds of the Islands off the Coast of Southern California

Alfred Brazier Howell

Cooper Ornithological Society

1917

From the introduction:

"The need for a publication of some kind embracing all possible information in regard to the avifauna of the islands off the coast of southern California first came to my attention in 1908. At that time I began compiling lists of the birds of each of the islands, for my own use only; but, at the suggestion of a few friends, I began four years ago to get these notes into shape for publication. This was undertaken, not because I have worked the islands more thoroughly than anyone else, which is not the ca.se, but because of the special interest I have in the region. The present contribution was completed and delivered to the Editors in October, 1915, but for various reasons the Club has been long delayed in its publication. During this delay, I have taken the opportunity of bringing the paper up to date, with the beginning of 1917. The territory covered in the present paper consists of the Santa Barbara Islands as properly restricted: Anacapa. Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel, with certain outlying rocks; the more southern group, popularly included under the same general term: Santa Barbara, San Nicolas, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente; and Los Coronados Islands. The last mentioned group does not lie off the coast of southern California, being Mexican territory and pertaining to Lower California, but is included in this report because of location nearby, and because of fauna1 similarity to the other islands named."

A Distributional List of the Birds of California

Joseph Grinnell

Cooper Ornithological Society

1915

From the introduction:

"Apparently the first attempt to catalog all the birds known at any one time from California was made by Dr. James G. Cooper in his unsigned contribution to Cronise's Natural Wealth of California (pp. 448-480), published in 1868. A brief running account is there given of 353 species. In 1890, Lyman Belding (Occasional Papers, II, California Academy of Sciences) ascribed 295 species of land birds to California, and in 1892, Walter E. Bryant (Zoe III, pp. 135-140) listed 150 water birds, making a total of 445 species and subspecies then credited to the state. Ten years later, in Pacific Coast Avifaulaa number 3, 1902, the present writer enumerated, with brief annotations, 491 species and subspecies; and in 1912, in Pacific Coast Avfauna number 8, the same author gave a nominal list of 530 forms. The present contribution shows a total of 541 species and subspecies believed at the time of going to press, May 1, 1915, to properly belong to the Recent avifauna of the state."

Some Birds of the Fresno District, California

John G. Tyler

Cooper Ornithological Society

1913

From the preface:

"In presenting this list of the birds of the Fresno district the author is aware of its incompleteness. In this connection it might he well to state that some fifty species of birds reported from various sources have been omitted entirely for the reason that nothing definite could be recorded in regard to their habits and distribution, or because some doubt existed as to their being correctly identified. More than ten years have elapsed since the first notes for this work were jotted down and in view of the mass of data available it seemed worthwhile to put on record the result of these years of observation in a region that has been all but neglected by ornithologists. In looking over such literature as was available the writer has frequently been impressed with the lack of definite dates and other information regarding many of our most common birds. In many cases only two or three nesting or migration dates have been available from the entire State and these from widely separated points. It was the desire to place on record the many apparently obvious but hard-to-find facts pertaining to the birds of central California that, more than anything else perhaps, induced me to hasten the completion of this work."

A Systematic List of the Birds of California

Joseph Grinnell

Cooper Ornithological Society

1912

From the introduction:

"It is believed that students of western ornithology will find use for a list of the birds of California arranged in accordance with the most modern views on classification. The following arrangement of our species will be observed to depart widely from that presented in most of the current textbooks. The majority of the latter in America are based upon the classification adopted twenty-six years ago in the first edition of the American Ornithologists Union Check-List of North American Birds. The system of grouping employed in the following pages is almost identically that based chiefly upon Gadow and presented by Knowlton. It is also very similar to that chosen by Ridgway in his latest systematic treatise on North American birds. My allegiance to Knowlton's interpretation of the modern views of avian classification results from my belief, insofar as I have made inquiry and am able to judge, that lie expresses most faithfully the concensus of opinion of those systematists whose accomplishments bring greatest confidence. Knowlton states his system to differ from Gadow's in certain minor modifications necessitated by 'the later researches of Pycraft, Beddard, Darcy-Thompson, Shufeldt, Ridgway, Lucas, and other well-known authorities'."

Birds of the Pacific Slope of Southern California

George Willett

Cooper Ornithological Society

1912

From the introduction:

"In February, i910, at the request of the Southern Division of the Cooper Ornithological Club, I began the compilation of the paper presented herewith. The first idea of the Club was to revise Grinnell's Birds of the Pacific Slope of Los Angeles County, published in 1898 by the Pasadena Academy of Sciences. It was finally decided, however, to extend the boundaries of the territory covered by that list so as to take in the Pacific slope of southern California from, and including, Santa Barbara County, to the Mexican line, and from the summit of the mountains to the ocean, also including all the islands of the Santa Earbara group. This territory comprises all of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, Los Angeles County south and west from the Liebre Mountains, Sierra Pelona and Sierra San Gabriel, San Bernardino county south and west from the Sierra Madre and San Bernardino ranges, all of Orange County, Riverside County west from the San Jacinto Range, and San Diego County west from the Volcan and Cuyamaca ranges; also the eight islands of the Santa Barbara group, namely San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, San Nicolas, Santa Catalina and San Clemente. In some cases I have deemed it advisable to refer to records outside the limits as described above in order to show certain connecting features in distribution or migration."

Birds of California in Relation to the Fruit Industry, Part II

F.E.L. Beal

Biological Survey Bulletin 34

US Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office

1910

From the introduction:

"The first part of the report on Birds of California in Relation to the Fruit Industry was published in 1907. In addition to the Linnet or house finch, which has attracted wide attention and is the subject of much complaint, 37 other species were discussed. In the present and concluding part, the food habits of 32 additional species are treated. Among them are some of the most important birds of the State, regarded from the standpoint of the farmer and fruit grower. The aim has been to collect all data possible on the food of the several species, to consider the facts impartially, and to render a just verdict as to the birds' economic relations. All the birds whose food habits are discussed have direct relations with husbandry. It is true that many of them have not been charged with the destruction or injury of fruit or any other farm products. Almost all however, destroy great numbers of harmful insects or devour seeds of noxious weeds; hence they are important economically."

A Bibliography of California Ornithology

Joseph Grinnell

Cooper Ornithological Society

1909

From the introduction:

"I began the collection of titles for a bibliography of California ornithology in 1900, while a student at Stanford University. Since then I have taken every opportunity to secure additions to my list, while from year to year I have tried to keep it up to date. Nothing becomes more apparent to one engaged in this kind of an undertaking than the impossibility of ever attaining ideal accuracy or completeness. Three years ago I thought I had a fairly comprehensive bibliography up to that time. But only within a few months have I run across several important titles of early date which had been previously unknown to me. As I could not but suffer continued uncertainty, no matter how long I should withhold this contribution from publication, I present the results of my work as they are now, believing that they will prove of value to every other working bird student, as they already have to me."

Birds of California in Relation to the Fruit Industry, Part I

F.E.L. Beal

Biological Survey Bulletin 30

US Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office

1907

From the introduction:

"In response to numerous complaints from fruit growers concerning depredations by birds in orchards and vineyards in the Pacific coast region, investigation of the subject was undertaken by the Biological Survey several years ago. In conducting this investigation the writer spent about nineteen months in California, including the fruit seasons of 1901, 1903, and 1906, during which time he visited the most important fruit-growing regions of the State, inspected hundreds of orchards, and interviewed many fruit growers. Kindness and courtesy were everywhere met with, and every facility was tended by orchardists for the acquisition of information, even to a suspension of the customary rule with regard to trespass and shoot on private grounds. In addition to the knowledge gained by field observations, stomachs of all the species of Pacific coast birds economically valuable have been collected, examined, and their contents recorded. When depredations are so widespread and involve so many different species of birds, a thorough knowledge of the nature and extent of the damage done and of the attending circumstances is of great importance."

Birds Of California

Irene Grosvenor Wheelock

A.C. McClug & Co

1904

From the introduction:

"California is the land of sunshine, flowers, and bird song. In the great sweep of country from Mexico on the south to Oregon on the north are found climatic conditions ranging from the Arctic circle to the tropics. The valleys blossom with roses, while the mountains are crowned with perpetual snow. Hence we find a flora and fauna as unique as the climate. It is the paradise of the bird-lover as well as of the tourist. Birds of the Torrid Zone come here; birds of Alaska winter here; birds from the mountains come down into the valleys. There is a constant movement north and south, a lesser one vertically from the warm lowlands to the colder altitudes, or vice versa. To live among these fascinating feathered folk and not long to know them, one must have eyes that see not and ears deaf to Nature's music. Yet the bird-lover who wishes to enjoy an acquaintance with them without scientific study finds his road beset with difficulties. From the scientific works that seem to him hopelessly abstruse he turns to the "popular" bird book, which is delightful but does not help him to identify his "bird neighbors." It is in the hope of meeting this need and affording an introduction to the birds more commonly found in California that this non-technical work is offered. Keys have been avoided and a simple classification, according to habitat or color, substituted, following the excellent plan used by Neltje Blantjan, which has never been excelled for easy identification."

Check-List of California Birds

Joseph Grinnell

Cooper Ornithological Society

1902

From the preface:

"In compiling the present list, the author has tried to be reasonably conservative as regards the admission of species in doubtful standing. In order to be worthy of a place on the State List an 'accidental' must have been as a rule secured and preserved so that it can be re-identified whenever desirable. The more unusual and unexpected the alleged occurrence of a species, the better the evidence must be of such occurrence before it can be accepted as authentic."

A List of the Land Birds of Santa Cruz County, California

Richard C. McGregor

Cooper Ornithological Society

1901

Results Of A Biological Survey Of Mount Shasta, California

C. Hart Merriam

B/W photographs

North American Fauna, Number 16

Division Of Biological Survey

US Department Of Agriculture

1899

Includes a 26 page section on the birds of Mount Shasta.

From the introduction:

At the close of the field season of 1897 the Biological Survey had nearly completed a reconnaissance of Washington and Oregon, and in previous years had carried its operations over extensive tracts in southern, middle, and northeastern California, so that with the exception of a rather large area in northern California fully two-thirds of the Pacific States had been covered. In 1898, therefore, the unworked part of northern California, reaching from the Madeline Plains on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west, and from the Oregon boundary on the north to Lassen Butte and adjacent parts of the Sierra on the south, came to be the principal field of our investigations. In this area Mount Shasta occupies a nearly central position. All high mountains, particularly those that stand alone, are likely to throw light on the problems of geographic distribution and are worthy of careful study. Shasta, not only because of its great altitude, but even more because of its intermediate position between the Sierra and the Cascades, promised an instructive lesson, and was therefore chosen as a base station for part of the field work of 1898.

A-Birding On A Bronco

Florence A. Merriam

Houghton, Mifflin & Company

1897

Prefatory note:

"The notes contained in this book were taken from March to May, 1889, and from March to July, 1894, at Twin Oaks in southern California. Twin Oaks is the post-office for the scattered ranch-houses in a small valley at the foot of one of the Coast Ranges, thirty-four miles north of San Diego, and twelve miles from the Pacific. As no collecting was done, there is doubt about the identity of a few species; and their names are left blank or questioned in the list of birds referred to in the text. In cases where the plumage of the two sexes is practically identical, and only slight mention is made of the species, the sexes have sometimes been arbitrarily distinguished in the text. Several of the articles have appeared before, in somewhat different form, in The Auk, The Observer, and Our Animal Friends; all the others are published here for the first time. The illustrations are from drawing's of birds and nests by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, and from photographs taken in the valley; together with some of eucalyptus-trees from Los Angeles, for the use of which I am indebted to the courtesy of Dr. B. E. Fernow, Chief of the Division of Forestry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. In the preparation of the book I have been kindly assisted by Miss Isabel Eaton, and have received from my brother, Dr. C. Hart Merriam, untiring criticism and advice."

The Death Valley Expeditions, Part II: A Biological Survey Of Parts Of California, Nevada, Arizona, And Utah

1. Report on Birds, A. K. Fisher

2. Report on Reptiles and Batrachians, Leonhard Stejneger

3. Report on Fishes, Charles H. Gilbert

4. Report on Insects, C. V. Riley

5. Report on Mollusks, R. E. C. Stearns

6. Report on Desert Trees and Shrubs, C. Hart Merriam

7. Report on Desert Cactuses and Yuccas, C. Hart Merriam

8. List of Localities, T. S. Palmer

Division Of ornithology And Mammology

US Department Of The Interior

1893

Includes 151 page section on birds.