The acrobatics and apparent eccentricities of the Indian Roller, the little Barbet that watches people around with endless curiosity from the hollow of a tree, and many other beings that share the world with us are brought alive in a way that gives us a feeling of intimate connectedness with them. As much as human characters in a gripping novel would. The paddy field for Yuvan in his school days was a scene of intense drama to be keenly observed - the innumerable birds, insects, snakes and crustaceans and how they interact in various situations and seasons, partaking of the farming activities of humans. The context for his thoughts and observations in many of his essays has been his school, Pathashaala. One cannot help but appreciate the school that gave space to the flowering of this self-taught naturalist. Any teacher taking children on Nature walks or struggling to make biology classes interesting can use his essays to bring in a spark of excitement and involvement to children today who are so alienated from Nature. But this is also a book for people of all ages that will surely make you look at spiders, caterpillars and many of Nature's creations with new eyes and a gladdened heart. -Seetha Ananthasivan Trustee and Founder, Bhoomi College and Prakriya Green-Wisdom School

    Publisher: Christopher HelmDate of Publication: 1990Binding: soft backEdition: ReprintCondition: Fine/Very Good +Description: 0747030235 Soft vinyl cover, with dustjacket.

    Brief text and photographs trace the adaptation of a tame cheetah to life in the wild.

    

    This invaluable compendium provides detailed information on identifying, ageing, and sexing waterbirds, diurnal raptors, and gallinaceous birds in the hand. While of primary utility to banders, the wealth of information is of interest to both birdwatchers and ornithologists, whether engaged in bird banding or not. Based heavily on field work and specimen examination, much new information is presented for the first time. Front material describes and illustrates techniques for identifying, ageing, and sexing birds and 45 pages of Literature Cited round out this robust paperbound volume of 835 pp.