Bird book flies off the shelves
2005-12-23 21:45
Pietermaritzburg - It's the Harry Potter of the ornithologically literate world - Roberts Birds of Southern Africa has exceeded all sales predictions and is being snapped up at a rate of about two books daily.
It has 1 296 pages. It weighs in at five and a quarter kgs (just less than the world's heaviest flying bird, the Kori Bustard) and it has a R795 price tag. But even so, the distributor, Wild Dog Press, has exhausted its 7 500 print run, according to sales representative, Sheila Thomas.
Some bookshops still have a couple of copies in store but the next print run will only be available on the shelves by about May next year.
Fanatical
Despite having fewer book retail outlets, KZN has more than its fair share of fanatical birders. About 1 098 copies had been sold in KZN by the end of last week. This compares to Gauteng (2 400) and Cape Town (2 018).
Executive Books in Pietermaritzburg ordered 145 copies at the end of September and by halfway through this week had sold 119. That is more than one and a half books daily.
By comparison, Roberts's rivals, Newmans Birds of SA (R174) sold 80 in 12 months. That is about one book every five days. The Sasol Birds of SA sells on average 10 monthly, or one every three days.
"One guy bought three Robertses in one go,' said Exclusive book seller Alan Farre, adding that new orders were pretty much accounted for.
Comprehensive guide
Exclusive Pavilion had sold more than 100 copies since late September. Cascades Book World sold 31 since November 7. They have to date sold only 50 copies of Newmans in two years.
"It is undoubtebly the most comprehensive, professional collection of species and data. It is wonderfully reassuring to see a bird in the bush and then go home and learn all about it in Roberts VII," said Gemmell, rueing only the fact that Roberts VII's weight makes it easier to handle at home than in the rucksack on a trail.
Roberts VII has been described as "instant Africana" with 300 new, internationally up-to-date classifications, a slew of ground-breaking genetic discoveries, completely re-illustrated by eight of the country's top bird artists, with descriptions of all 951 bird species compiled by 50 specialists.
Moving with the times
Like its predecessor, Roberts VI, it starts with an ostrich, but as other reviewers have mentioned, that's where the similarity ends.
In line with international twitching cohesion, 300 bird names have been changed. An ostrich is now a common ostrich. Plovers are Lapwings. A Dikkop is a thick-knee, the Gymnogene is a harrier hawk. And so on.
"We have to get with the times. It's not a problem. The old names confused international visitors," explained Sisonke Bird Club chairman, Malcolm Gemmell.