Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Tennessee

Book excerpt: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Tennessee is based on research conducted from 1986 through 1991 by the Tennessee Ornithological Society and is the first study of its kind ever published for the state. It reviews the methodology employed in the study, which included innovative miniroute censuses. It features detailed accounts of individual species which include both grid maps that plot their distribution and contour maps that reflect their relative abundance. The accompanying text for each species discusses its geographical and historical occurrence, cites habitat preferences, and offers notes on breeding biology such as nest placement and clutch size. Line drawings accurately portray the birds in their nesting cycle. In addition to this wealth of data on individual species, the atlas provides background information on the physical and cultural geography of Tennessee and on patterns of land-use change that followed the arrival of European settlers. It also presents the most comprehensive history of ornithology in the state yet published.