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From: mcolthea@sunb.mqcc.mq.oz.au (Max Coltheart)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: bird book - Australia
Message-ID: <1036@macuni.mqcc.mq.oz>
Date: 13 Jun 91 13:14:14 GMT
References: <1991Jun12.135522.202@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu> <79788@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Sender: root@macuni.mqcc.mq.oz
Organization: Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
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The Slater book recommended by David Mark is good; I slightly
prefer A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia by Graham Pizzey 
published by Collins.Very accurate reproductions of birds and
oriented towards identification.

Richard, if you are going to Queensland you *must* go to Townsville.
Australia in all has about 730 listed species; 365 of these have been
recorded in or near Townsville. There is a patch of wetlands on the
edge of Townsville called the Town Common that is a wonderful birding
place (go at dawn and watch the brolgas dancing - brolgas are a species
of crane). A short ferry ride is Magnetic Island - many birds there, with
Bush Thick-knees and Yellow-Bellied Sunbirds very common. In Townsville buy
"Birds of Townsville and where to find them" edited by Jo Weiner. 

Useful address: The Secretary, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland,
Townsville Branch, PO Box 1249, Townsville Queensland 4810.

Have a good time,
Max Coltheart