The new book "Birds of the Chatham Islands" is now available for purchase by
mail order only - at the discount rate of NZ$15 for members of the
Ornithological Society or Forest & Bird Society ($25 to non-members). Copies
prepurchased at the OSNZ AGM were posted out on 2 July.

The book was written by Department of Conservation staff members Hilary
Aikman & Colin Miskelly, and published by DoC. A5 soft cover format, 128 pp
full colour. Over 150 photographs depicting all 68 breeding species plus 4
migrant wader species. The 18 endemic taxa (plus 3 near-endemics) are given
detailed coverage under headings "Identification", "Distribution and
ecology", and "Threats and conservation", and each have 2-5 photographs.
Remaining species have 0.5 to 1 page each, and 1-2 photographs. Species are
presented in 5 habitat sections, each with habitat photographs and notes on
bird communities and sites to visit.

The introductory chapters cover "Moriori, Maori and the birds of the Chatham
Islands", "A history of bird research and conservation on the Chatham
Islands", and "The future", and include text boxes on 7 people that have
made significant contributions to Chatham Island bird conservation. A full
annotated checklist of birds recorded from the Chatham Islands (including
subfossil records, and all known vagrants) is included as an appendix.

If you wish to purchase a copy/copies, make cheque out to "Department of
Conservation", and send to: Chatham Island bird book order, Wellington
Conservancy, Department of Conservation, PO Box 5086, Wellington.

For a pdf copy of advertising flyer (with credit card purchase option),
email Colin Miskelly at cmiskelly@...