Illustrated with 55 color plates, more than 300 color photographs, 723 distribution maps. Foreword on the ecological significance of bird populations by Cagan Sekercioglu with a Preface by Paul Ehrlich. Comprehensive coverage of: Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers), Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes), Rhipiduridae (Fantails), Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers), Regulidae (Kinglets), Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers), Cisticolidae (Cisticolas & Allies), and Sylviidae (Old World Warblers).This is the first work to illustrate all the species of birds in the world. Illustrated introduction to each bird family, plus detailed individual species accounts which include distribution maps. Each species is illustrated on a color plate, including all significant sexual and sub-specific differences, and high quality color photographs depict many aspects of the birds' life and behavior. English, French, German, Spanish, and Latin names are given for each species.