Canberra: National Library of Australia, 2013. Quarto, lavishly illustrated, fine copy in dustwrapper.

The first and only proper biography of both Cayleys. This skillfully researched and handsomely produced book charts the lives and works of this Australian father-and-son pair of bird artists. Neville Henry, peripatetic, often impecunious and with a reputation for hard drinking, was nevertheless a highly talented artist. His son Neville William, ‘buoyant’ in personality, sometimes outspoken and argumentative, was a pioneer of the surf lifesaving movement before turning his attention to the painting of birds. With a brilliantly written Foreword by Andrew Isles who has handled more Neville Cayley paintings than any other dealer.

Penny Olsen is a research scientist and natural history writer. Based at the Australian National University in Canberra, she is the author of numerous publications including Glimpses of Paradise: The Quest for the Beautiful Parrakeet (2007), A Brush with Birds: Bird Art in the National Library of Australia (2008) and Upside Down World: Early European Impressions of Australia’s Curious Animals (2010).