China's vast area, covering both the Paelarctic and Oriental geographic regions, is rich in natural resources and wildlife. Although China has over 1100 of the world's 9000 bird species- almost equal to those of Europe and Australia combined- no scientific research into them has been undertaken by a Chinese scientist until Professor Cheng Tso-hsin. A graduate at 19, a doctor and professor at 23, Cheng has dedicated his life to the study of China's avifauna. It is little wonder that he is so revered in bird conservation circles both in his own country and internationally. It is something special, for not only has Professor Cheng's life spanned war, civil war, the emergence of the People's Republic of China, but also what he calls the 'cowshed years' of the Cultural Revolution during which he had to go through much hardship. As becomes clear on reading this biography, few people have achieved so much for all to see: hundreds of papers, articles, books, wildlife reserves established on the basis of his and his colleagues' fieldwork, shaping government policy, not to mention the wealth of scientifically-trained talent that China now has following in the footsteps of the master.