A Field Guide to the Birds

This second revised and enlarged edition from January 1963 showcases Roger Tory Peterson's revolutionary approach to bird identification that transformed ornithology and naturalist education in America. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society and published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Peterson's innovative system of highlighting distinctive field marks with arrows and detailed illustrations made bird identification accessible to amateur naturalists while maintaining scientific accuracy.

Peterson's text and illustrations covering all species found east of the Rockies represent decades of meticulous field observation and artistic skill. His unique ability to combine scientific precision with visual clarity created a guide that served both practical and aesthetic purposes, inspiring generations of birdwatchers and contributing to the growth of recreational birding as a popular hobby. The systematic approach he developed became the template for countless subsequent field guides across all natural history subjects. (We sell many current editions of Peterson's Guides at the store every week!)

The National Audubon Society's sponsorship reflects the guide's importance to conservation education during the mid-20th century's growing environmental awareness. Peterson's work connected urban and suburban Americans with wildlife, fostering bird appreciation that translated into support for habitat protection and conservation legislation. By making nature study accessible to ordinary citizens, his guides helped create an informed constituency for environmental protection.

This thirteenth impression demonstrates the guide's extraordinary popularity and Peterson's success in creating a reference work that balanced scientific accuracy with practical functionality. The guide's influence extended far beyond ornithology, establishing Peterson as one of America's most important nature educators and representing a cornerstone of American environmental education that democratized natural history study.