Essential Ornithology provides the reader with a concise but comprehensive introduction to the biology of birds, one of the most widely studied and commonly taught taxonomic groups. This book is admirably direct and direct in conveying its points. While it uses the words and phrases of academic biology, its careful and caring tone makes it consistently readable. A textbook that students can read is an obvious virtue. A textbook that students can afford is another virtue, and this book is much less expensive than many textbooks.