Melbourne: Inkata Press, 1979. Octavo, colour photographs, fine copy in dustwrapper.

One of the best aviculture books ever written, the title is deceptive. George Smith (1932-2006), eccentric and talented, was an English vet who made good scientific use of aviculture. He published a landmark 1976 paper in 'The Ibis' on parrot taxonomy and made many original observations on parrots over his long career. His prose ranks with the Reverend Farrer, the other great avicultural writer, whose two books, 'Birdroom and aviary' and 'Through a Birdroom window' are a must for any decent cage bird collection.