By: Stevens, Ronald, Tyler, Henry, & others
ISBN: 0-88839-318-0
Binding: Trade Cloth
Size: 8.5" X 5.5"
Pages: 156
Photos: 23
Illustrations: 17
Publication Date: 1995

PR Highlights: A falconer's chronicles.
PHOTO Highlights: 16 page historical b/w photo section.

Limited Special Edition includes a signed print by the author. Only 100 copies produced.

Description: A Life with Birds chronicles this astute observer's falconry pursuits, from collecting falcons in Africa and his high-flying falconry exploits across his beloved Irish moors to his pioneering falcon breeding. A real pioneer in falcon breeding, this enigmatic man of old values and new insights brought the art of falconry into the twentieth century.

Few naturalists and fewer falconers have developed greater reputations than Ronald Stevens. Ronald spent a lifetime dedicated to aviculture. At one point, he and his brother cultivated the world's largest collection of living waterfowl and cranes. During World War II, the collection was destroyed - eaten by military officers. Ronald turned away from waterfowl and became one of the world's foremost falconers.

Combined with Ronald's last stories are tales from his best friend, Henry Tyler Swain. Over 35 years, these men developed a lasting relationship of respect. Henry's stories provide a wonderful objective portrait of Ronald Stevens.

It does not need a naturalist or an artist to appreciate the beauty of wild birds, their free joyous spirit gives heart to everyone. Ronald Steven's writing captures this feeling in an enjoyable and original way. Over the years Ronald and I enjoyed each others company. Talking mainly of birds and the pleasure they give to our lives. For the most part I was content to sit back and delight in the wonderful stories of a man whose lie, quite literally, was a life with birds. I remember once his excitement when I told him of a pair of sparrowhawks nesting close by my house. What made it so remarkable was that the female sparrowhawk was hunting and feeding her young on snipe, captured from the surrounding bogland. The male sparrowhawk confining himself to the normal bill of fare: larks and pipits. Ronald wondered, could the female sparrowhawk be the answer to hawking in the west of Ireland? Where snipe are plentiful, but, sadly, grouse have all but disappeared. This attitude of innovation and enthusiasm is so typical of the man whose name is synonymous with falconry.

In these pages, I welcome most warmly the chance to share some of the experiences of A Life With Birds, and at the same time wish the book every success.

- Richard Ward - Letter Lodge