Cecil Smith
Birds of Guernsey (1879)
And the Neighbouring Islands: Alderney, Sark, Jethou, Herm; Being a Small Contribution to the Ornitholony of the Channel Islands
"Birds of Guernsey" by Cecil Smith is a scientific publication written during the late 19th century. This work explores the ornithology of Guernsey and its neighboring islands, including Sark, Alderney, Jethou, and Herm, with a focus on summarizing the avifauna present in these regions over the author's thirty years of observation. At the start of the book, the author establishes the importance of documenting the birds found in the Channel Islands, which have been relatively overlooked in previous literature. Smith discusses various factors affecting local bird populations, including agricultural development and hunting practices. He introduces his list of observed bird species, emphasizing his reliance on personal observations, museum specimens, and accounts from local naturalists to provide evidence of their presence. Smith's approach to presenting each species includes scientific names, local vernacular, and personal anecdotes, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of each bird's characteristics and significance to the region's ecological landscape.