Book description
This reference guide gives general details about the swallows and
martins of the world. These include appearance, the basic coloration and
differences between the sexes and immatures and the function of other
areas of colouring. Several species within the same geographical area
are often segregated by feeding in different habitats or at different
heights or by eating different size-classes of insects. The two
sub-families, one being the two river martins, the other containing
about 72 species mainly in the genus hirundo, are dealt with, including
their distribution and migration patterns. Feeding, courtship and
breeding habits are considered, together with details of nesting sites,
clutch size, incubation and life-span. Finally, the population sizes of
the various species are examined, noting that whilst many have expanded
their range by using man-made structures, forest species probably remain
small and one species, the Red Sea swallow is known from only one
specimen. The book follows the same approach, style and presentation as
"The Herons Handbook" published in 1985. It is illustrated by
the winner of the prestigious "British Birds Illustrator of the
Year Award" and the author has contributed to many scientific
papers and journals including BBC's "Wildlife Magazine."
