Books with title Album of North American birds

BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA A PERSONAL SELECTION Here is a book to savor and to return to again and again as a record of America's master photographer at work in capturing characteristic portraits of the continent's rich but elusive avifauna. Eliot Porter's work, as artist and writer, reveals the commitment of a man who recognizes the primary of wild lands and animals in our daily lives. His artistry transports us directly into the natural world and offers a special vision enabling us to see beyond familiar details to nature's intricate patterns and textures. In this elegant new work, the capstone of his art and the result of painstaking field work and photographic innovation, Eliot Porter penetrates the images of nature to identify the beauty and behavior of birds in flight or in repose. As always, his concern is for the perfectly composed portrait, never the quick impression. When Eliot Porter first photographed birds, the face of North America was largely nature's. In the intervening half century the land has become increasingly urbanized, and today many of our favorite birds are endangered. Mr. Porter's deep concern for birds and our remaining wild lands persuaded him to change careers - from medicine to photography. His warm and personal narrative records the adventurous life of America's contemporary Audubon and the special challenges and joys of hunting with a camera. Magnificently designed, this exquisitely - printed volume contains eighty pages of photographs including sixty-four pages in full-color.

This illustrated book was published in 1904PREFACE:The greatest interest in the study of birds centers in their home life. Soon after their arrival from their winter quarters, all birds take upon themselves the duties of reproduction, the first step of which is the securing of a satisfactory location ; some species, such as Auklets, Petrels, Burrowing Owls, Kingfishers, Bank Swallows, etc., nest at the end of burrows or holes in the ground ; a great many nest upon the ground, some laying their eggs upon the bare sand, leaves, or rock, while others build nests, either bulky or slight as suits their respective tastes ; hundreds construct their homes among the branches of trees or bushes, some close to the ground, others among the highest branches, and still others swaying from the ends of the outermost limbs ; other species lay their eggs at the bottom of holes in trees, either in natural cavities or in holes dug by their own efforts, the most noticeable in the latter class being the Woodpeckers, which often chisel their way into limbs of living trees. The study of nests alone is most interesting ; the rude and slight platforms of the Herons, Cuckoos, Grosbeaks, etc.; the rough but sub- stantial structures of the Robin ; and the exquisite, architectural creations of the Hummingbirds, Flycatchers, Orioles, Bush-tits, etc. Surely the work of some of these little feathered creatures, these "homes without hands," show as great a degree of skill and artistic temperament as is seen in the human race. The eggs of the different species vary through all the tints from white to blue, green and brown, some unmarked, others handsomely specked, spotted, blotched or wreathed with different shades of brown, lilac and lavender, and their sizes vary from that of the diminutive Hummingbird to the Albatross, Swan and California Vulture as the largest North American eggs, and the Ostrich of Africa whose egg will contain several quarts. The nesting season ranges from January with some of the Owls to August in the case of the American Goldfinch, but by far the majority of species lay their eggs during May or June. It is at this period during their lives, that birds are at their best ; their plumage is the brightest, their voices are the sweetest, and their actions the most brilliant. The purpose of this volume is to furnish a reference and guide to all bird students who may desire to study the home life of our feathered creatures, by a description of how, when and where they build their nests, and the appearance of their eggs.