Discovering Seabirds

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6 Four main groups of sea birds are discussed here: tubenoses (albatrosses, fulmars, shearwaters, and petrels); pelicans and their allies (tropic birds, gannets, bobbies, cormorants, and frigate birds); penguins; and gulls and alcids and their allies (skuas, terns, skimmers, and auks). In logically organized chapters, basic facts about the families are explored; topics include appearance, methods of travel, diet and feeding habits, reproduction, and the relationship between seabirds and people. The last chapter includes some well-intentioned but useless information about bird-watching. Words in bold type are defined in the glossary. Many excellent color photographs round out this volume; however, not all indicate the exact species of the bird shown. Two captions are reversed. At times the book's British origin is evident (shag instead of cormorant, sea bird instead of seabird, tropic bird instead of tropicbird). The information is easily accessible, and the book will be useful for reports. There is no overlap with Scott's Orphans from the Sea (Putnam, 1982), covering the work of the Suncoast Sanctuary, which specializes in the rescue and repair of orphaned and injured seabirds. Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, Conn.