The second volume in this series continues the high standards set by the first. The three editors have followed the vision of the late Leslie Brown and organized a team of internationally known experts to help them produce an up-to-date and comprehensive work. This volume covers all birds found in Africa, from gamebirds to pigeons. In order to do justice to the ever increasing volume of publications on African birds and the wealth of material collated by the contributors, and to fulfil the aim of illustrating all main plumages of every species, the series has been expanded to six volumes, the first three to cover the non-passerines and the last three the passerines. As in Volume I, all species of birds found in Africa are covered, including migrants and vagrants. Resident birds are treated in full detail, with sections on their range and status, description, field characters, voice, general behaviour, food and breeding biology. Visitors are also given extensive coverage, with emphasis on their status and behaviour within Africa. These volumes are being acclaimed as the authority on the avifauna of Africa; they will remain as such for many years to come. The quality of the text and the beauty of the plates will assure them pride of place on the shelves of ornithologists and bird-watchers everywhere. Indeed, anyone with an interest in natural history or ecology will find here a source of much interest and enjoyment.