harry eales
Ancient Entomologist
I recently received a copy of this book by Brian Nelson and Robert Thompson, and having taken a few days to read it, I must admit that this is the finest book on Dragonflies I have ever read. Certainly there are a few volumes that are perhaps of a more technical type, but for anyone who has the remotest interest in these 'jewels of the air' this book is a 'must have.'
It is certainly not a field pocket book, it is hardbound, measuring 11" x 9" x 1 3/4" and contains 454 pages, it weighs several pounds, it is definately a volume to be left at home on your library shelf.
Every aspect of Irish Odonates is covered, all known species to occur in Ireland are covered in detail with a profussion of photographs. All species have been mapped and each map is accompanied by the times of appearance and altitude charts, and several pages of good readable text accompanies each species description. There is a whole chapter devoted to a history of the Irish Odonates and the early recorders. Trends in distribution changes are also covered.
Whilst we are all fairly familiar with the English Common Names of Dragonflies, few are aware that there exists an Irish Common Names list. This did cause a little confusion whilst reading the first few pages, however, the English names and the generic and specific names are also given on each species description page.
Some of these Irish names are strange but are far more descriptive than the English equivelent. e.g. The Brown Hawker becomes the Amber-winged Hawker, the Migrant Hawker becomes the Autumn Hawker and so on. Not all the names are different though, a number are common to both the British mainland and Ireland. The two Demoiselle species become the Beautiful and the Banded Jewelwings. Several Damselflies are called 'Bluet's'.
Numerous habitats are described and are also illustrated by beautiful photographs. Richard Lewington's excellent illustrations also occur here and there. The distribution maps are in colour and the dots are colour and size coded. The whole of Ireland is covered by this book.
Printed in 2004, this book has had little publicity in mainland Britain. Published by the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland. The ISBN no. is 0 900761 45 8. The price is £24.50 + £6.48 postage and is available from Summerfield Books. Mainstreet, Brough, Cumbria. CA17 4AX Tel 017683-41577. or other book dealers. Orders can be placed on line or by phone using a credit or debit card.
If your nearest and dearest hasn't bought you a Christmas present yet, then a broad hint may not come amiss, provided your credit card or bank account hasn't already been hammered. This is not a book to lend out, even to a friend, it is that good, you may not get it back again.
Read and enjoy.
Harry
It is certainly not a field pocket book, it is hardbound, measuring 11" x 9" x 1 3/4" and contains 454 pages, it weighs several pounds, it is definately a volume to be left at home on your library shelf.
Every aspect of Irish Odonates is covered, all known species to occur in Ireland are covered in detail with a profussion of photographs. All species have been mapped and each map is accompanied by the times of appearance and altitude charts, and several pages of good readable text accompanies each species description. There is a whole chapter devoted to a history of the Irish Odonates and the early recorders. Trends in distribution changes are also covered.
Whilst we are all fairly familiar with the English Common Names of Dragonflies, few are aware that there exists an Irish Common Names list. This did cause a little confusion whilst reading the first few pages, however, the English names and the generic and specific names are also given on each species description page.
Some of these Irish names are strange but are far more descriptive than the English equivelent. e.g. The Brown Hawker becomes the Amber-winged Hawker, the Migrant Hawker becomes the Autumn Hawker and so on. Not all the names are different though, a number are common to both the British mainland and Ireland. The two Demoiselle species become the Beautiful and the Banded Jewelwings. Several Damselflies are called 'Bluet's'.
Numerous habitats are described and are also illustrated by beautiful photographs. Richard Lewington's excellent illustrations also occur here and there. The distribution maps are in colour and the dots are colour and size coded. The whole of Ireland is covered by this book.
Printed in 2004, this book has had little publicity in mainland Britain. Published by the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland. The ISBN no. is 0 900761 45 8. The price is £24.50 + £6.48 postage and is available from Summerfield Books. Mainstreet, Brough, Cumbria. CA17 4AX Tel 017683-41577. or other book dealers. Orders can be placed on line or by phone using a credit or debit card.
If your nearest and dearest hasn't bought you a Christmas present yet, then a broad hint may not come amiss, provided your credit card or bank account hasn't already been hammered. This is not a book to lend out, even to a friend, it is that good, you may not get it back again.
Read and enjoy.
Harry
