Buller's Birds of New Zealand

These types of books are normally dedicated to ‘looking at the pictures', and without doubt the lithographs by JG Keulmans, taken from the 1888 second edition are the star of the show. There are 48 of these, and most feature at least two birds, but in the case of the smaller species, four birds. Capturing the birds spirit as well as their looks shows the artists skills. Having never visited New Zealand, the Dutchman made all his pictures from taxidermy examples and museum skins, most likely never having seen them alive.

But in this case the pictures are not all. We are provided with Buller's original text from (presumably) the second edition in 1888, which in itself is very interesting, but also the editor EG Turbott has added to each entry by ‘bringing it up to date'.

‘Bringing it up to date' not only means adding to what Buller has written in terms of how our knowledge of the birds has changed, how some unfortunate birds have moved into extinction, but also discussed some of the more controversial or inaccurate details.

These books (especially in the slipcover) hold their value, and are not commonplace, but would be a lovely thing to own (I don't, unfortunately!).

5 stars.