Jonathan Elphick is a natural history author, editor and consultant who specialises in ornithology. During a career spanning more than 40 years, he has worked on many books, including writing award-winning titles such as Birdwatcher's Handbook. Among many other projects, he spent four years as researcher for the acclaimed bestseller Birds Britannica, written by Mark Cocker. Jonathan has travelled extensively to study bird life and was elevated to Scientific Fellowship of the Zoological Society of London in recognition of his services to the popularisation of zoology. The Library of the Natural History Museum is a repository for one of the most exciting and comprehensive collections of natural history literature and artworks to be found anywhere in the world. It holds over half a million artworks, comprising one of Britain's biggest art collections and representing all the great natural history artists, and many thousands of books, including some richly illustrated volumes of great historical significance.