New Nat'l Geo Field Guide coming out (1 Viewer)

[Richard Klim]

Reviewed by Rick Wright on the ABA Blog:
Dunn and Alderfer: Field Guide to the Birds of North America.

PS. And as Morgan commented recently, in contrast to the typically very belated reviews in ABA's magazine Birding, Rick Wright is doing a great job providing timely reviews of the publications most important to birders on the ABA Blog.

 

[njlarsen]

I have finally received my copy of the new version, my second copy after having used 3rd edition for years. So far it looks good, but I want to comment that I do not like the cut-out in the pages to provide access to different parts of the book. The same could have been done with coloring on the edge of the page similar to what is done in the Sasol/Princeton book for Southern Africa, and I would estimate they could have cut 5 mm/ 1/5 inch from the width of the book if they had chosen colors. Would have made it easier to stuff in a pocket and saved some weight.

Niels

 

[Swissboy]

......I would estimate they could have cut 5 mm/ 1/5 inch from the width of the book if they had chosen colors. Would have made it easier to stuff in a pocket and saved some weight.

Niels

I fully agree with you. It's actually more like a full centimeter that was added because of the cut-outs. That cut-out thing started with the fifth edition when the book gained the same basic format as the present edition. The Quick-Find-Index was a new feature in the fourth edition. And I think that is a much more useful and precise thing than those few cut-outs. I use it all the time, and I have started to make my own such indices for other FGs in the meantime. Like for the Panama FG: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=194298&highlight=panama
and for the new (second ed.) Svensson/Collins FG for Europe: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=197741&highlight=quick+find+index
I also made one for the German edition of the Svensson.

 

[Mysticete]

I actually like the cut outs...I don't use the guide often enough to remember exactly what color would correspond to what group, so seeing the names is helpful. Bear in mind that I generally use Nat Geo as a desk or backup reference, so Eastern/Western Sibley is my field book of choice.

 

[jedigrant]

Here's my full review of NatGeo6. I like it

 

[Peter C.]

Here's my full review of NatGeo6. I like it

Haven't seen this edition in the stores yet, but from the stills, it looks very good indeed.

Still not ready to give up my 2nd ed. though....

 

[Swissboy]

Here's my full review of NatGeo6. I like it

Thanks Grant, I left my comment. But I'm basically with you here.

 

[Swissboy]

. ...
Still not ready to give up my 2nd ed. though....

I think it would be worthwhile now. I have probably bought all editions, mainly to be updated with the names and splits. I don't have that much exposure to the area that it would seep in anyway.

 

[Swissboy]

cut-outs

I'm presently using the NG FG more again, as I'm preparing for an upcoming trip. And I finally figured out why these cut-outs irritate me so much. The increase in size is certainly one factor, but one I don't consciously realize.

However, the cut-outs impair easy leafing through the book. Like when I have found a particular page in the index that I want to open, I often kind of get stuck at one of the cut-outs. And it's even worse when I'm close to the desired page. Very often that cut-out nearby gets in the way of my (admittedly somewhat clumsy) fingers.

 

[njlarsen]

Robert, I am using my 6th ed at the moment as I am in S Texas. As opposed to you, I am starting to warm (a little) to the idea of the cut outs. Yes, they do add a little in weight to the book, but knowing where to find those confusing sparrows in a hurry does have a value.

Regarding thumbing, I am trying to think about where on the book (high or low) to place my finger depending on where I expect to find the bird.

Niels

 

[MJB]

Regarding thumbing, I am trying to think about where on the book (high or low) to place my finger depending on where I expect to find the bird. Niels

Niels,
Fighter pilots call it 'cockpit familiarisation'! Rather like getting used to the position of a new car's controls...:t::-O
MJB

 

[Swissboy]

Niels,
Fighter pilots call it 'cockpit familiarisation'! Rather like getting used to the position of a new car's controls...:t::-O
MJB

As I much prefer the finer info I can get from the Quick-Find-Index, familiarizing myself with the "crude controls" so to speak, is of rather limited value in my case. I guess fighter pilots need a finer type of familarization as well for their jets. :-O