Handbook of the Birds of the World: special volume: new species and global index

I suspect the ornithological world will be divided into two camps: those who have already bought the previous 16 volumes of HBW and will buy this as a matter of course, and those who haven't and won't.
The authors admit this volume is a bit of an afterthought, but what an afterthought.

There are four sections: a global index to the series (in five languages, occupying 300 of the 800 pages) and original scientific descriptions of 15 new species of Amazonian birds (the most in any single publication since the 1870s), together with a list of new species discovered since HBW started (133) and a short chapter by Jon Fjeldsa on the topic. The other two sections are perhaps of most general interest: two chapters, an inspiring one on the history of the BirdLife Partnership, and an informative (and balanced) overview of all the changes in taxonomy that new molecular techniques are bringing. If you don't know your Metaves from your Coronaves then this is a good place to start!

The final section is the one everyone should look at: 200 photos spanning all the orders: from Southern Cassowary to Silver-throated Tanager by way of Grey Plover and Great Dusky Swift to pick out two of my favourites. The photos range from the ‘merely excellent to simply breath-taking; it's hard to imagine a better showcase for the beauty, diversity and sheer character of the world's birds.

In some ways, though, although this is the last volume - it is really more of a beginning, with all of HBW now online and having the aim of making knowledge of the world's birds accessible to as many people as possible. Go to http://www.hbw.com to find out more.......

Book reviewed by Rob Robinson