The Vultures of Africa

(Johannesburg: Acorn Books and Russel Friedman Books in association with the Vulture Study Group, 1992) 1874802033. 4to; original white boards; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. 464; profusely illustrated with distribution maps, full colour plates and photographs, line drawings in text, tables and diagrams. A little foxing to boards, occasional fox spot elsewhere. Very good condition. “In The Vultures of Africa all eleven species of vulture known to the continent are presented, for the first time, in an authoritative account that will rank as the most important ornithological work on these fascinating yet threatened birds. Vultures have always evoked a strong response in people, whether it be one of reverence, as in the Ancient Egyptians or the present-day 'vulture-watchers', or of aversion, as shown by the many explorers and hunters of the last century. In this major, fully illustrated monograph, Dr Peter Mundy and his co-authors endeavor to answer every conceivable question on the biology and lifestyles of these birds, in a text that is a refreshing departure from traditional bird monographs in terms of its lively and contentious style. The book, nevertheless, remains comprehensive in its approach, and combines the insights gained from the authors' personal experiences with a scholarly review of all the available literature.” .