Tony Beamish

Basics: 1981, softcover, 64 pages, 50 color photos, 3 illustrations, 46 species, no range maps

This booklet is a photo guide covering all the land and sea birds that are most likely to be encountered during a visit to these islands. Also photographed are all the endemic species, which are typically the main avian attractant. The photos are generally good, but are outdone by the superior book Beautiful Birds of Seychelles by Skerrett.

The author provides text on two primary topics. One, is a background on the various island groups that comprise the Seychelles. Two, are decent accounts of individual species, including the extinct birds. The book concludes with an avian mystery where the author outlines historical notes of a “Blue Hen” referred to by 18th-century sailors but of which there is no known physical evidence.

This booklet should be used only as a primer before going to the Seychelles. Any visit meant to focus on the birds must use one of the two excellent guides by either Skerrett or Sinclair.… (meer)