Birds Through an Opera-Glass

Birds Through an Opera-Glass by?Florence A. Merriam

Birds Through an Opera-Glass?is Florence A. Merriam¡¯s pioneering field guide to American birds. The first-ever of its kind, originally published in 1889, it laid the foundation for modern birdwatching.

Before Birds Through an Opera-Glass, it was commonplace to shoot birds and study their lifeless bodies. Merriam instead advocated studying birds in the wild¨Dthrough an opera glass rather than a riflescope¨Dto ensure their preservation. With line drawings and detailed descriptions of seventy common species,?Birds Through an Opera-Glass?remains a favorite of birders, nature lovers, and conservationists to this day.?

As the first female member of the American Ornithologists¡¯ Union, Merriam was a trailblazer in the emerging field of birding in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Today she is regarded as an essential early voice for bird conservation, and?Birds Through an Opera-Glass?shows her important principles put into practice. More than a century later,?Birds Through an Opera-Glass?continues to guide birders and outdoor enthusiasts who are seeking to enjoy nature without harming it.?

With line drawings and detailed descriptions of seventy common species, this lovingly crafted facsimile of Birds Through an Opera-Glass is a beautiful tribute to this legacy.

• Publisher: Applewood Books
• Paperback
• Print length: ?240 pages
• Item Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Dimensions:??5 x 0.02 x 7 inches