B.Williams Book Mules & Hybrids

BOOK REVIEWS

Excellent book, 17 Oct 2006

Reviewer:

Without doubt this is by far the best book on this subject I have read that has been published in the last 50 years. A book with everything for champion and novice alike, interesting text and 5 star quality photographs, a must for the book shelves of every breeder and keeper of British birds.

24th Oct By letter

Dear Bernard, Thank you for sending the book promptly, read it over the weekend and was very impressed.

Well put together, Excellent Photographs and a first class read.

Yours Andy Early

17th Oct By Email

Hello Bernard,
I recently purchased a copy of your book from you for my father, which he loved! He found it to be very informative and one of a kind. We live in California, USA

sincerely,
Serko Soultanian

Cage & Aviary Birds October 12th 2006 issue

by Roger Caton

Over the years there have been some excellent books published about British Birds, Mules and Hybrids by expert authors like Walter Lewis, Victor Carr, Peter Lander and Bob Partridge. The latest offering BRITISH BIRDS, MULES & HYBRIDS, written and self published by Bernard Williams is a worthy successor to their well-known publications. In this book, Bernard draws upon 40 years experience of breeding and showing British Birds and their Hybrids and as manager of the National Exhibition in its later years. He founded a very successful British Bird club in Staffordshire that still puts on large shows. Every potential cross of British birds is commented upon and rated for degree of difficulty. Some have never been achieved. Although he does refer to some crosses as easy, he makes the point that no hybrid breeding is easy when compared with breeding most other birds. He has arrived at his ratings based upon his own experience and how many times a particular hybrid has been seen on the show bench. This book, running to more than 33,000 words and 160 pages has been produced in hardback, is liberally illustrated with 113 colour photographs mostly taken by top bird photographers Tony Tilford and the late Denis Avon. This is the first time that pictures of the Linnet x Crossbill, Crossbill x Bullfinch and Goldfinch x Crossbill have appeared in any UK book, The nine colour plates that each show two British birds and the hybrid they produce (never shown in this way before) are very impressive.

Another new approach is the easily understood, quick reference double page expectations chart that explains your chances of producing all of the hybrids and which of the birds, and which combination of cock and hen, give you the best chances of success.

The subjects of pairing, feeding, housing, general management and exhibition are dealt with and there are many useful tips.

This book gives a new insight into breeding British bird hybrids and explains that luck has a part to play so even an inexperienced breeder can come up with a hybrid that champions have been trying to breed for years. Its a valuable addition to the list of birds books currently available and I recomend it.

Roger Caton