as one would expect is good, each page is substantial and glossy and the print quality excellent.

Each family is placed in its geographical context, with distribution maps showing the range of the species across the world. These are followed by detailed sections covering systematics, morphological aspects, habitat, general habits, communication, food and feeding, breeding, movements, home range and social organisation, relationships with humans and status, and conservation. These sections look at the family level and are edited by respected professionals from around the world. Each species in the family is then displayed in a full colour plate of illustrations, before each species is given its own species account using the same categories as for the families. Where entries are short it is because there is little information onon show the wealth of biodiversity and alongside the information on the species, their vulnerabilities and the dangers they face. It is sobering to consider how many species in the handbook may have gone extinct by the time the final volume is published.

About the Author (book review): Mark is an amateur ecologist who trained at the University of Aberystwyth. Mark runs a website (link HERE), where he publishes his varied research interests. He has been a regional representative for the BTO for the past 8 years and has consulted with Warwickshire County Council and other local wildlife bodies on several conservation projects. Aside from the camera trapping Mark manages a small patch of land and has been recording wildlife on the same patch of the river Avon for