But overall, the revisions are spot on. By way of example, among the most comprehensive new treatments is that for Caspian Gull, which is represented by no fewer than 13 figures – there were none previously, when this taxon was still gaining wider recognition. The figures are beautifully executed and convey the species’‘jizz’ and plumages very well, though the tendency for winter adults to have dull legs, correctly mentioned in the text, is not reflected in the plate. I actually prefer the depiction of Caspian Gull to that of Yellow-legged Gull, which unfortunately, but unavoidably for layout reasons, does not fall on the same spread. The illustrations are accurate, useful and aesthetically pleasing, and in my copy somewhat more washed-out than in the original edition, which actually makes them even more realistically coloured. If you have the first edition it IS definitely worth investing in a copy of the new edition, and I suspect this will long continue to be the field guide of choice for most birdwatchers – although, as always with a comprehensive Europe-wide field guide, the sheer number of species can be bewildering and confusing for people new to birdwatching, or those that only watch birds in the UK.

Alternatively, at the home screen, this feature sits as its own function where the user is able compare any species via up to six criteria including range, season and habitat, as well as phenotypical attributes such as plumage, size, shape and so on. Cleverly, the app uses GPS to determine your position and therefore the relevant region. This will no doubt be an extremely useful feature for birders holidaying in locations where they may not necessarily be familiar with identification possibilities. A second edition was published in January 2010, and in May 2015 numerous updates to both text and illustrations were made.pressed as the length in centimetres from tip of bill to tip of 2nd-summer (2nd-s. ) - age category usually referring to L-":"=_--=-:...-:::.~.~ :=::=k~J Winter range. immature (ilnm.) - a bird wearing any plumage other than

develop in the 15 or so years it took to reach publication, not now, the natural sequence starting with the oldest families to arrive at the wrong conclusion if an identification is based adult (ad.) - old, mature bird in definitive plumage. Some which are often seen in flight the wingspan is added (WS). It follows the 2nd-winter plumage and is worn until

The ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts – now in its second edition.

The Collins Bird Guide App combines world-class illustrations and comprehensive information with intuitive design to create the ultimate field guide to the birds of Britain and Europe. For passionate birders and casual birdwatchers alike. The second reason, which was difficult to foresee when we Changes which have been incorporated are aimed to im- L. S. is indebted to Jose Luis Copete, Andrew Lassey and gestions and/or provision of very useful photographic mate- With expanded text and additional colour illustrations, the third edition of the hugely successful Collins Bird Guide is a must for every birdwatcher.