This is a rough review, but I believe this is an outstanding waterfowl identification guide. First off, the index is well designed because next to the species it gives you the plate number followed by the page number that the plate is located on (kind of a foolproof backup as a whole lot of books will have a bird number as well as a plate number as well as a page number for the plate as well as the page number for the life history information - or some variation thereof - which often means you’re going back and forth trying to figure out which is which), and then you have the page number for the life history; tail end of the book, bird name followed by numbers. Right where the index should be (and surprisingly few are), designed how it should be.

I see no issues with the color plates, they all appear to be extremely well done. Additionally there are drawings throughout with things like feather shape and patterns. The range maps seem adequate. And there are numerous color photographs of each of the species to complement the plates. I particularly like the species accounts because they are complete without being overwhelming. ( )