{"product_id":"birds-through-an-opera-glass-9781429095693","title":"Birds Through an Opera Glass","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe first-ever field guide to American birds, Florence A. Merriam's classic \u003cem\u003eBirds Through an Opera-Glass\u003c\/em\u003e remains a highly influential book for modern birdwatching more than 130 years since its initial release. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBirds Through an Opera-Glass \u003c\/em\u003eis Florence A. Merriam's pioneering field guide to American birds. The first-ever of its kind, originally published in 1889, it laid the foundation for modern birdwatching. Before \u003cem\u003eBirds Through an Opera-Glass\u003c\/em\u003e, it was commonplace to shoot birds and study their lifeless bodies. Merriam instead advocated studying birds in the wild--through an opera glass rather than a riflescope--to ensure their preservation. With line drawings and detailed descriptions of seventy common species, \u003cem\u003eBirds Through an Opera-Glass\u003c\/em\u003e remains a favorite of birders, nature lovers, and conservationists to this day. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the first female member of the American Ornithologists' Union, Merriam was a trailblazer in the emerging field of birding in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Today she is regarded as an essential early voice for bird conservation, and \u003cem\u003eBirds Through an Opera-Glass \u003c\/em\u003eshows her important principles put into practice. More than a century later, \u003cem\u003eBirds Through an Opera-Glass \u003c\/em\u003econtinues to guide birders and outdoor enthusiasts who are seeking to enjoy nature without harming it. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Applewood Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/21\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781429095693\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240","brand":"Florence Augusta Merriam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44775941275829,"sku":"9781429095693","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_6ec14b02-5f75-4f47-af7a-39f8d53c4e44.jpg?v=1730821457","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/birds-through-an-opera-glass-9781429095693","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}