Universally recognized as by far the most authoritative work ever published on the subject, The Birds of Africa is a superb reference with encyclopedic species texts, stunning paintings, detailed line drawings, and comprehensive bibliographies. This is the sixth volume in a set of seven, follows the standard taxonomic sequence and deals with songbirds from the babblers to starlings. A new introduction brings the reader up-to-date with recent developments in the series and includes an essay on aspects of biogeography illustrated through African birds. Overviews of the families are followed by genus summaries (with associated superspecies maps, where appropriate) and the species accounts themselves, organized under standard heading: Range and Status, Description, Field Characters, Voice, General Habits, Food, Breeding Habits, and Key References. Each species has a distribution map and many are illustrated with line drawings by Ian Willis showing nests and behavior. There are 36 superb color plates by Martin Woodcock that illustrate all the plumages of all species covered in the volume. Full references to written and sound recorded material complete this authoritative coverage.