Arthur Cleveland Bent "Life Histories of..." (1 Viewer)

Katy Penland · Mar 1, 2006

After a BF member (Wompoo Dove) referred to one of Bent's books in the IBWO thread, it reminded me how great the descriptions were in another of Bent's books I borrowed a few years ago. In doing a Bookfinder.com search, I was blown clear out of the house by the hugeness of the listings under his name and no clue where to start trying to collect a set.

So my question is, just how many volumes constitute a complete set of his "Life Histories" series?

Swissboy · Mar 1, 2006

Katy Penland said:
After a BF member (Wompoo Dove) referred to one of Bent's books in the IBWO thread, it reminded me how great the descriptions were in another of Bent's books I borrowed a few years ago. In doing a Bookfinder.com search, I was blown clear out of the house by the hugeness of the listings under his name and no clue where to start trying to collect a set.

So my question is, just how many volumes constitute a complete set of his "Life Histories" series?

It's 26 books: 18 volumes, but some consist of two parts, and the finches even of three. This is the Dover reprints series that I have, but I think they were divided up as the originals.

fugl · Mar 1, 2006

Katy Penland said:
After a BF member (Wompoo Dove) referred to one of Bent's books in the IBWO thread, it reminded me how great the descriptions were in another of Bent's books I borrowed a few years ago. In doing a Bookfinder.com search, I was blown clear out of the house by the hugeness of the listings under his name and no clue where to start trying to collect a set.

So my question is, just how many volumes constitute a complete set of his "Life Histories" series?

Yes, the Bent Life Histories are real classics & though badly out-of-date still make very entertaining reading. I've had the Dover reprints for years & consult them all the time.

Some of the individual "histories", by the way, are available on-line: http://www.birdsbybent.com/

Fred Petersen,
Reno, Nevada

Katy Penland · Mar 1, 2006

Thanks to you both for the info. Yeah, I wouldn't rely on them for the taxonomic info but for the behaviors and descriptions which I found riveting in the one volume I'd seen. Truly a classic. :t:

I wish the booksbybent site could make all his volumes into bona fide "ebook"s so all the accounts could be accessible. Huge chore, I'm sure.

cuckooroller · Mar 2, 2006

I have the full original set in the States gathering dust. Forget how many volumes. There is a site somewhere that has the Bent descriptions on-line. I will see if I can remember which one it is.

Yes, other than fugl's mention of one site, there is also: http://www.birdzilla.com/sub.asp?strType=omnibus_intro&strTitle=Birdzilla:+Wild+Bird+Omnibus

Katy Penland · Mar 2, 2006

Thanks, Steve, for the ref to Birdzilla. Will check it out! :t:

rockwright · Apr 1, 2006

I recently purchased the life history of birds of prey, volume 2, through Amazon.com. You might try there. I agree, these are interesting works. The authors are not afraid to put some emotion in the writing, and their enthusiasm comes through. Modern dissertations (such as BNA) are in comparison dry and harder to get through.

KC Foggin · Apr 1, 2006

Hi Katy

Have you seen this link?

http://birdsbybent.com/

Arthur Cleveland Bent "Life Histories of..." (1 Viewer)

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