Covering a large number of birds in a species rich country, effectively whilst at the same time, trying to kep a book prortable is alwasy goung to cause issues, perhaps more authors should apply the two volume approach?
They'd minimise the text in the ID volume to keep it light for the field and then be free to write a fuller account in the second volume which birders could choose to either leave at home or in a hotel room.
I fully agree. Though, looking at some South America books, there was still way too much in the ID volume.