The Birds of Tunisia

Joseph Whitaker (1850-1932) was a British naturalist, outdoor sportsman, author, and collector. He amassed much of his extensive collection of wildlife, especially birds, by shooting and stuffing them. His writings, though primarily about birds, reflect his interest in the many aspects of appreciating the natural world. This two-volume work was meant to fill a void in English-language ornithology about the regions in and around Tunisia. In the introduction, the author describes four different geographical areas, mentions some political and cultural issues that affect the study of nature in northern Africa, and prepares the reader for the organizing principles used in his text. Both volumes cover characteristics of 365 species, many of which are represented in Mr. Whitaker’s own specimen collection.

Tunisia, having a variety of habitats and being on the flight path for much seasonal migration, is a great location for ornithologists and birders. Organized taxonomically, the descriptions of each species include details of size, color, plumage, and behavior. But these volumes are also rich with the author’s generous descriptions, personal observations, and historical perspective on the study of each species. There are fine color plates (rendered by H. Gronvold) on several of the birds in their natural habitat.