Calburn's Birds of Southern Africa -Simon Calburn

Calburn's Birds of Southern Africa -Simon Calburn Book Description: Purnell, 1969. Hardcover. Book Condition: Good - slightly scuffed at bottom of spine. . Dust Jacket Condition: is rubbed, edge worn and but has suffered little loss. A few spots of foxing on front and back pages and the page edges. Owner inscription on front page. Page 248 pages and Index. 22cm x 30.5cm This is a book about the watching and drawing of birds in action. The artist and author, Simon Calburn, works only from life and this book is essentially a record in pictures and words of his contact with the world of birds. Over one hundred of the species found in Southern Africa are illustrated, and there are birds from all the principal types of habitat. The illustrations range from pencil field-sketches and water-colour studies to large finished plates, and the text describes in simple terms how the artist goes to work, the difficulties that he meets and, above all, the way birds live. For many, such a style will be more rewarding than a purely scientific approach. Calburn sees birds as individuals ¿ as possessing the traits and foibles that make up distinct characters. He concentrates on capturing this individuality and his presentation of the drama, humour and colour of the bird-world cannot but fascinate all those to whom birds are a source of joy.