This old but attractive little hardcover, illustrated with color photos throughout, has surprised me with the depth and quality of its coverage.
Out of its only 116 pages in total, the first 63 cover general info on keeping finches: purchase, housing, feeding, breeding and health. All these are dealt with finely, with the chapter on housing being truly excellent for such a thin book.
The remaining 50 pages or so describe individual species ranging from estrlidid and true finches through whydahs, weavers and sparrows to various New World seed-eaters. I find the species covered very well selected, covering almost all the most popular ones from each group, and still finding space for some interesting rarities like a bluebill and a seedcracker. The info provided on each species is also good and to the point, covering all or even more than could be expected in such limited space.
A recommended introduction to finches for beginners, and even has interesting tidbits for more experienced enthusiasts.
Hardback
116 pages
1988
