folio

National Geographic Illustrated Birds of North America, Folio Edition
$50.00
Make no mistake about it;this is a beautiful edition of what I believe is the most popular bird identification book for Birds of North America.If you decide to order this book for yourself, or someone you know loves birds, or is a Birder of any level of expertise;be forewarned this is identical in nearly every way to the popular "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America" 5th Edition ;edited by Jon Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer ;except that it is twice the size and weight,has a hard cover,dust jacket, and is really a book to be kept at home on a desk or coffee table,and ideal for a classroom or a library.So,don't be disappointed by assuming that it is anything but a large version of the field guide that has been around for 25 years and in its 5th revised edition.In other words,it is simply too large to be carried around while Birding.
These comments are meant to be helpful,rather than to be negative about this excellent Edition.
If you want to know more about the contents of this book,I suggest you read my review dated November 9,2006,along with others,on "The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America" by Jon Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer.Other than an enlarged edition,they are essentially identical ,right down to the number of pages,text about each bird species, and the plates and illustrations of each bird species.In other words,pick any page,for instance,the text and plates for the Kingfishers are on pages 280 and 281 in both books.
As to the illustrations themselves,they are identical except enlarged.In the Field Guide the distance from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail of the Ringed Kingfisher measutrs 4";while it measures 5 1/2" in this book;definitely somewhat larger,but otherwise identical.The text is identical in both books.
There are some other minor differences.With the enlargement of the illustrations, there is a little better definition in sone of the streaking etc. on some species;and overall the colors are slightly sharper in the larger book.On some plates ,the illustrations have been moved a bit to reduce crowding,see the plate on page 311;but there is no change where illustrations have parts covered by accompanying male and female plumages,see 344.The larger plate sizes tend to give them a slightly less crowded look.There have been a number of range maps added for some species that were without them in the Field Guide,for instance,Berylline Hummingbird on page 272 ,White -eared Hummingbird on page 275,and Pink-footed Goose on page 20. The cover flaps and thumbtabs ,a great addition in the latest Field guide,are left out and not necessary in this large edition.
The overall construction,paper quality ,printing and color are all excellent as well as the price.
In summary,these two books are both excellent,but serve different purposes.One is really meant for Birding in the field,while the other is ideal for indoor use.

Professional Series Zippered Pad Folio with Letter Size Pad, Black SAM70820
$35.62
Softly padded vinyl with the look and feel of napa leather. Sleek radius corners and wrap-around zipper to provide security for important documents. Full-length exterior storage pocket. Interior features include expandable document pocket, zippered security compartment, diskette and business card pockets, and pen loop. A writing pad is also included.

Millennium Leather Versa-Folio Black 9500-16BK
$46.45
PDA case secures most electronic organizers Pocket for calculator or phone Removable 1.25" three-ring binder Includes 8.5" x 11" writing pad Includes 2-piece black gift box comDimensions (LxWxH): 13.5 x 1.75 x 10.5 Inches

Game Folio Edition Deluxe Yahtzee
$10.89
I was very pleased with this item. It is great looking, well made and will be very easy to take on a trip, etc. Very well worth it!