Bearded Tit, By Rory McGrath

A gentle and affectionate history of the author's pursuit of birds, both feathered and not, this life story through ornithology will appeal to fans of McGrath's blokeish but self-deprecatory humour.

His hobby entertains him from university days, when he learns the Latin names of birds to impress a girl at the local book shop, to now, when ... well, let's not give away the ending, in case anyone doesn't guess it within 10 pages.

From time to time, McGrath's tone of voice may grate on those who don't appreciate his humour. But more will be touched by the triumph of relentlessness over objectivity.

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