BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Cantelo" data-source="post: 1722929" data-attributes="member: 2844">I disagree with you here, Owen.  When a pointer directs you to an obvious feature (in this case a great big red chest) on an otherwise relatively drab bird then the meaning is abundantly clear.  Looking at various field guides (Japan, USA, etc.) that use this system to highlight features on species with which I'm unfamiliar, I found no problem in recognising the feature the pointer was directing me towards.  Let's allow readers some gumption.  Apart from anything else leaving pointers uncaptioned when not absolutely needed helps to limit the clutter on necessarily crowded pages.One further point - and one for the nitpickers - Ruppell's Vulture is described as 'smaller than" Griffon, however measurements given (rightly) show a considerable overlap such that a large Ruppell's will be bigger than a small Griffon.  Also no mention is made that Ruppell's habitually soars on flat, not raised wings (although Griffons may also do so).    One idle speculation - why is it that, a decade on, nobody has come close to matching the 'Collins Guide'?  Is it the will by publishers?  Is it the availability of necessary artists/writers of sufficient Olympian talents?</blockquote>