A complete guide to all the rare, accidental and vagrant birds ever reliably recorded in Britain and Europe. Covering over 300 species, this major publication is intended as a companion to Peterson, Mountfort and Hollom's Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe, and it is hoped to update it every 2-3 years as new species are recorded. For each species covered, details of all plumages are given, with brief descriptions of habitat and behaviour, range, and status. For each there is a small text drawing. The colour plates usually illustrate adults of both sexes (unless the sexes are indistinguishable in the field), but distinctive seasonal or age differences in plumage are also illustrated. Finally, there is a small section on British rarities.