For among the finches of Daphne Major, natural selection is neither rare nor slow: it is taking place by the hour, and we can watch.In this dramatic story of groundbreaking scientific research, Jonathan Weiner follows these scientists as they watch Darwin's finches and come up with a new understanding of life itself. The Beak of the Finch is an elegantly written and compelling masterpiece of theory and explication in the tradition of Stephen Jay Gould.With a new preface.

    A book for apprentice falconers wanting to know the basics of becoming a falconer. Shows a step-by-step approach to training your first wild caught hawk.

    Describing the cycles of loss and recovery that have changed many ecosystems in the past 50 years, the author considers both habitat destruction and pollution, as well as the introduction of exotic animals and reforestation that is underway nationwide.

    With her enchanting watercolor images and hand-lettered prose, artist and author Maryjo Koch explores, with both authority and humor, everything in the world of birds.

    Walton and Lawson have created learning groups of similar vocalizations and clearly point out distinguishing characteristics, using phonetics, mnemonics, and other memory aids. MORE BIRDING BY EAR will increase your skill and enjoyment in the field by helping you learn the vocalizations of twenty-five species of warblers, all of the North American rails, and an assortment of terns, other waterbirds, and passerines. Many shorebird call notes are also included. Combine the auditory instruction here with the visual features of the Peterson Identification System. Page numbers in MORE BIRDING BY EAR's booklet refer to species descriptions in the PETERSON FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA, fifth edition.

    But as animals can only be spied on by getting quite close Heinrich adopts ravens, thereby becoming a "raven father," as well as observing them in their natural habitat, studying their daily routines, and in the process painting a vivid picture of the world as lived by the ravens. At the heart of this book are Heinrich's love and respect for these complex and engaging creatures, and through his keen observation andanalysis, we become their intimates too.Throughout history there has existed an extraordinary relationship between humans and ravens. Ravens, like early humans, are scavengers on the kills of great carnivores. As scavengers, ravens were associated with hunters they found in the north: wolves and, later, men. The trinity of wolf, man, and raven in the hunt is an extremely ancient one. In considering the appeal of the raven, Bernd Heinrich suspects that a meeting of the minds might reside in that hunting trinity.Heinrich's passion for ravens has led him around the world in his research. Mind of the Raven takes you on an exotic journey--from New England to Germany, Montana to Baffin Island in the high Arctic--offering dazzling accounts of how science works in the field, filtered through the eyes of a passionate observer of nature.Heinrich has a true gift; through his stories, his beautiful writing, illustrations, and photography, the ravens come alive. Each new discovery and insight into their behavior is thrilling to read. just as the title promises, the reader is given a rare glimpse into the mind of these wonderful creatures.Following the dictum of Leonardo da Vinci--"It is not enough to believe what you see. YOU Must also understand what you see"--Bernd Heinrich enables us to see the natural world through the eyes of a scientist. At once lyrical and scientific, Mind of the Raven is bound to be a modern classic.

    UT Press is pleased to reissue it with a new epilogue and updated references.

    You'll find: * All the identification information on a single page-color photographs, range map, and detailed description. No more fumbling to match photos with text! * For fast reference-a compact alphabetical index inside the front and back covers. * More than 900 high-resolution color identification photographs. * An illustrated Quick Guide to the most common backyard and feeder birds. * Convenient colored tabs keyed to each bird group. * Concise and comprehensive text, with information on habitat; plumage variation; feeding, nesting, and mating behavior; bird feeder proclivity; and-for the first time in any guide-population trends and conservation status.

    Describes the pleasures of gardening, and discusses compost, bulbs, garden planning, mulberries, butterflies, carrots, toads, spiders, lady bugs, and hummingbirds.

    This very portable guide is designed to help you identify these birds in their natural habitats and learn about their habits, life cycles, and history. The guide features 74 species of North American birds associated with fresh or salt water. In addition to the swans, geese, and duck that are traditionally termed waterfowl, it includes a variety of loons, grebes, cormorants, and rails that may be encountered in the same habitats. Also here are tips on birding technique (including the use of binoculars and spotting scopes), identification skills, and watching waterfowl, as well as notes on waterfowl conservation and more.

    From the two-ton nest of an eagle to the tiny knot-like nest of a hummingbird, Dunning examines the diverse habitats and sizes of birds' nests. This is an inviting book that peeks inside a remarkable natural place and shows both the evolution of birds and the methods they use to nurture and protect their eggs.

    This streamlined volume contains: an easy-to-use field guide featuring 56 species of raptors that may be observed in North America; a complete overview of observing birds of prey, covering basic identifying field marks and tips on observing and distinguishing different species.This pocket guide is packed with information; photographs detailing birds at rest and in flight, specific descriptions of each species' important field marks, regional maps depicting breeding and winter ranges, silhouttes representing general body types, labeled diagrams of the birds and a glossary of bird terms to refer back to.When observing these majestic birds of prey in their natural habitat, the National Audubon Society Pocket Guide to North American Birds of Prey is an excellent and convenient reference guide to accompany any nature-lover.

    Clear, accessible format, charts, diagrams, field tips, practical pointers, and historical profiles.

    It is no accident that many of these ornithological shrines are located in Texas, which has the most diverse avifauna in North America north of Mexico. Texas comes by this enormous diversity honestly, with rugged mountains, vast deserts, lush semi-tropical woodlands, prairies, bayous, cedar brakes, thorn forests, and one of the richest temperate migration corridors in the world located along the western Gulf Coast.Birds of Texas: A Field Guide provides an introduction and ready access to this spectacular variety. The text provides detailed information on identification, habitat preferences, voice, seasonal occurrence, abundance, and distribution. Maps show precisely where in the state the bird can be found. Photos of the bird in the field put the species in the proper visual context for identification; in fact, the photos for over half of the 622 species were taken in Texas. Texas is a unique region of the hemisphere, and its birdlife is an important part of what makes it special. This book will be useful to the beginner and the experienced birder alike.

    The formulary, a continually evolving tool for the avian clinician, contains some additional data in this version.

    Encompassing paintings in all media, prints, book illustrations, photography, film making and Field Guide art, this is the first book to celebrate Dr. Peterson's artistic career in its entirety, including his pioneering work in North America, the Arctic, and Antarctica. Includes a selection of intriguing personal photographs of the artist and his wife on expedition. 9 1/2" x 12". Color and black-and-white illustrations.

    It contains a full text for each species, including wing-formulae drawings. Some of the species covered find their way to the UK and Europe.

    During that time the field of bird migration has experienced many advances which are reflected in this second edition. No other book exists to bring together the vast amount of information currently available on the subject of bird migration. Includes discussion of evolution and history of bird migration, physiology, orientation mechanisms and threats to migrations and is accessible to experts as well as amateurs.

    The first comprhensive guide to all 116 species found in North, Cenral, and South America.

    Featuring more than 500 full-color illustrations and photographs, along with detailed annotations, Dorling Kindersley Handbooks make identification easy and accurate.