Ornithological Literature

摘要

MAGELLANIC SUB-ANTARCTIC ORNITHOLOGY: FIRST DECADE OF LONG-TERM BIRD STUDIES AT THE OMORA ETHNOBO-TANICAL PARK, CAPE HORN BIOSPHERE RESERVE, CHILE. By Ricardo Rozzi and Jaime E. Jimenez (editors). Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, University of North Tex-as,/Universidad de Magallenes, Denton, TX /Punta Arenas, Chile. 2014: i-xx + 364 pages. ISBN 978-1-57441-531-5 (book), 978-1-57441-543-8 (ebook). $75.00-As the title implies, this work summarizes research into the birds of Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, a beautiful and remote region that will be unfamiliar to most ornithologists. That in and of itself makes this publication of value to the broader community. The forwards are by the late Chilean marine biologist Roberto Schlatter and Chilean ornithologist Alvaro Jaramillo (San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory). This is followed by a preface describing the banding program at Omora Ethno-botanical Park and its scientific, educational, and conservation goals. The main body of the book is divided into six sections, and here is where the editors have made their most unusual, and in my opinion, successful, decision. The different sections are comprised of many reprinted scientific articles from a variety of (mostly Chilean) journals. This book is not about seabirds, which might be the first group of birds that many would associate with this region. The focus is on the results gathered from long-term banding studies of largely endemic land birds like Green-backed Firecrown (Sephanoides sephanoides), White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis), and Patagonian Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus patagoni-cus). I do think a summary section that covered all the region's birds, rather than just those under study would have been worthwhile. That said, avian ecologists interested in seasonality, the impact of introduced mammalian carnivores (in this case, American mink, Vison vison), and other basic natural history questions will find useful data on the landbirds that have been studied. The many photos, maps, and charts are beautifully produced, adding to the charm of the work, and the photos certainly help the reader connect with habitats and spectacular scenery. Throughout, one is reminded that every part of our planet is touched by our species; and humans have the capacity and responsibility to monitor, understand, and preserve the avian diversity around them. Workers interested in South America in general or temperate avian biology in a different corner of the world will want to be able to check out this book.