In 1898, Neltje Blanchan was utterly frustrated and dismayed at the decrease in the bird population, much like you are now, which was primarily caused by reckless hunting by humans for sport and profit. Again, much like today. So he wrote a book from the view of a bird lover who needed people to understand the damage they were causing - not just to the birds but also to society.

In this book, you will find the life history of one hundred and seventy magnificent birds of prey. Birds regularly killed for food, sport and "for the barbaric purpose of decorating women's hats."

You will find the language of this book easy to read. Thoroughly researched, and providing in-depth studies and features of the birds, Blanchan has written this book not just for the enjoyment and indignation of bird lovers, but also for anyone with the slightest love of nature or interest in the wilds around us.