This is the first book to explain the importance of priority in relation to names in ornithology and in the context of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Backgrounds are first provided on the Code and on printing and publishing over the last 250 years. The compilers then bring together reports on 148 books and 121 periodicals in zoology which, between them, present almost all the challenges that can make date determination problematic. The reports provide links to the published authorities and are supported by tables containing extensive detail about the subsidiary parts or issues with their pagination and dates. This book and the included CD Rom are a searchable treasure trove.

Compiled by Edward C. Dickinson, Leslie K. Overstreet, Robert J. Dowsett and Murray D. Bruce with the help of over 50 contributors and many others. The CD ROM holds over 160 pp of printable tables.

"Scientific names are used by biologists all over the world as their 'common language'. These names are vital to communicate clearly and efficiently about the amazing life around us. This book is the result of countless hours of detective work into the dating of publications establishing new scientific names of birds. This task is essential to ascertain the priority of names and hence the correct scientific name to be used as valid today. Although this book focuses on bird literature, the considerable body of historical information given on natural history books and periodicals will be of great interest to all biologists." -Patrice Bouchard, Coleopterist, Canadian National Collection of Insects, Ottawa, Canada.

"'Priority!' is a solid testament to the hard labors of its authors in researching the dates of natural history publications in order to resolve difficult issues of priority among bird names. Five years of rigorous bibliographic detective work has resulted in an indispensable reference work for all zoologists." -Neal L. Evenhuis, Entomologist, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, U.S.A.