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THE BIRDS OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
By R.T. Sprague & Ron D. Weir
Reviewed by American Birds, autumn/1985 (out of print)
 To answer your first question, Prince Edward County is in Ontario. The authors may have omitted this fact from the title in the modest belief that the book would be of purely local interest, but I believe it merits a wider audience.
Prince Edward County comprises a natural peninsula jutting into the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. This position is a strategic one for observing phenomena of bird migration(which, as well known, can be spectacular along the edges of the Great Lakes). In the early 1970s, the Kingston Field Naturalists took a special interest in the utmost tip of the peninsula, Prince Edward Point, and began systematic counts of migrants there. Their studies have resulted in recognition of Prince Edward Point as ‘The Point Pelee of Lake Ontario.” More importantly, they have led to the establishment of the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, and they have produced a wealth of information on bird migration through the region. Much of that information is summarized in this book.
Although the data on migrants are likely to be the aspect of this work most relevant to observers, elsewhere in eastern North America, the book also gives very thorough treatment to the breeding and wintering species. The traditional bar graphs for seasonal status are supplemented by species accounts up to a full page in length. These species accounts, very concisely and clearly written, are packed with information. The introductory pages and appendices also do a fine job of conveying all the essential facts in a minimum of space.
In summary, anyone who knows the fine reputation of the Kingston Field Naturalists will find this book to be just what they expected. Authors Terry Sprague and Ron Weir are to be commended for a job very well done.
The Birds of Prince Edward County (second edition) by R.T. Sprague and Ron D. Weir. Kingston Field Naturalists, Kingston, Ontario. 1984. xv + 191 pp., bar graphs, 1 map, 10 habitat photos, line drawings by Lynn Lougheed. Paperbound $19.00
THE BIRDS OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
By R.T. Sprague & Ron D. Weir
Reviewed by J. Murray Spiers
(out of print)
Since the publication of the first edition in 1969, the Kingston Field Naturalists have undertaken a major research project at Prince Edward Point. This volume updates the species accounts to 1983 and makes available the results of the special projects at Prince Edward Point and vicinity.
The introductory pages include a map of the county showing localities mentioned in the text (but no roads of township boundaries), descriptions and black and white photographs of the county and areas of interest, and an account of their ornithological work with special emphasis on the Prince Edward Point project.
The species accounts that occupy most of the book include historical information, information on the status at all seasons, average arrival and departure dates, earliest and latest records and dates for high counts, and nest records for breeding species.
The species accounts are supplemented by tables and graphs in the appendices which give banding totals (including an impressive 3595 Northern Saw-whet Owls). Christmas Count results from 1977 to 1983, a check-list of the 318 species known from the county, bar graphs showing their status at all seasons, and special graphs showing somewhat greater detail for the birds of prey.
The work concludes with literature cited, index, and an account of the authors and of the illustrator, Lynn Lougheed, who contributed a few sketches of birds found in the county.
The book is 6 X 9 inches, bound in serviceable heavy grey paper. It will make a handy guide for travellers in the county and a good reference book for your library.
The Birds of Prince Edward County, by R.T. Sprague and Ron D. Weir. 1984. Second edition. Kingston Field Naturalists. Kingston, Ontario. xv + 191 pp. $19.00 .
BIRDS OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY (out of print) originally published by the Prince Edward Region Conservation Authority in 1969 The book was hard cover and 215 pages in size, and cost only $3,000 to publish 1,000 copies! How times have changed!
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