Natural History Books
teNeues Publishing UK Ltd Ice is Black
Book SynopsisFrom majestic glaciers to vast frozen plains as far as the eye can see, ice is just as important to the world’s ecosystems as water, air, and trees. And yet its presence and vital role on Earth is increasingly threatened by the effects of global warming and population growth—the inspiration behind French photographer Laurent Baheux’s latest endeavor, Ice is Black. Through breathtaking black-and-white images, Baheux captures the world’s most beautiful icy landscapes and the fascinating animals that inhabit them. We get close to creatures and landscapes that seem to be taken out of time. Taken in such far-flung lands as Norway, Iceland, and Canada, Baheux’s images present polar bears and their cubs, foxes frolicking in snow, and seals navigating icy waters. While the photographs convey evocative beauty, they also act as a call to action to protect these magnificent icy lands and the creatures that rely on them. Text in English, French and German.
£42.50
Hancock House Aratingas
Book SynopsisBeautiful color photographs accompany practical and clear descriptions in which all the important characteristics of each species are given: sub-species, origin of name, parents and young, sizes and weights, habitat and habits, diet, nesting sites, breeding process, general remarks and mutations. Aratingas belong to the group of South American parrots. Together with the Macaws and the Amazons they are the best known parrot-likes from this region. They are familiar to every birdkeeper, albeit in varying degrees, yet until now no easy-reference book about this genus had appeared on the market. The author has successfully attempted to satisfy this need; he has chosen for the same layout as in his previous book Australian Parakeets and their Mutations, a publication which has been received with extreme enthusiasm by aviculturists. Aratingas therefore also contains high quality photographs of all the species and most of the sub-species, which once again have virtually all been taken by Cees Scholtz. The photographs accompany practical and clear descriptions in which all the important characteristics of each species are given: sub-species, origin of name, parents and young, sizes and weights, habitat and habits, diet, nesting sites, breeding process, general remarks and mutations.
£14.39
Lone Pine Publishing International Inc. Compact Guide to Colorado Birds
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£12.59
The American University in Cairo Press The Arabian Horse of Egypt
Book SynopsisPrized for their stamina and their acclimation to the harsh conditions of the Arabian deserts, the ancestors of the horses that are now recognized as the Egyptian Arabian purebred horse entered Egypt centuries ago, establishing the valuable bloodlines of the breed there. The breeding programs in Egypt therefore became the root source for the finest Arabian horses, attracting passionate enthusiasts from all corners of the world. Artists, poets, and historians have for centuries been inspired by their great beauty and romantic legacy. Nasr Marei is the third-generation owner of a stud farm in Giza, Egypt. His love for and knowledge of the Egyptian Arabian horse, coupled with his sensitive and striking photography, have inspired this visual tribute. His extraordinary photographs, accompanied by text that traces the history and evolution of the Arabian's journey into Egypt, celebrate the lineage of this living treasure of Egyptian heritage.
£17.99
The American University in Cairo Press Cats of Egypt: An AUC Press Nature Foldout
Book SynopsisCats were just as favored in ancient Egypt as they are today. Egyptian paintings of domesticated cats date back 3,600 years, and animal cults included worship to the cat goddess Bastet. This AUC Press Nature Foldout explores wild and domestic cats of Egypt: large cats like the Cheetah, the Leopard, and the Caracal, which are all extremely threatened or near extinction within Egypt; and smaller cats including the African Wild Cat, Swamp Cat, Sand Cat, and Egyptian Mau. Whether wild or household pets, cats have long been beloved by people. - Each species described and illustrated, alongside examples of their natural prey in the wild - Map of Egypt describing the various habitats of wild cats, as well as locations of ancient Egyptian sites where the cat was worshiped and mummified - Noted appearances of felines in hieroglyphs and reliefs - Conservation efforts for threatened cat species About the series: The AUC Press Nature Foldout series combine, in beautifully practical form, a wealth of information written by leading experts with striking full-color illustrations on the flora and fauna of Egypt and the Middle East. Designed for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers, as well as for indoor use, the foldouts come in an easily foldable format, at once compact, waterproof, and portable, making them durable and convenient travel guides. Size is 23 x 8.5 in. / 58.5 x 21.5 cm unfolded.Table of ContentsCats included:Great SphinxCaracalLeopardCheetahSwamp CatAfrican Wild CatSand CatBastet (goddess)Egyptian Mau (domestic cat)African Lionand feature panels on:Domestic OriginsLion Gods and Cat CultsCat SensesSleep
£8.66
The American University in Cairo Press Egypt's Wildlife: Past and Present
Book SynopsisAncient Egypt's temples and tombs encompass images of exotic animals, birds, and plants that are no longer found in the country today, while the fossils of dinosaurs and ancient whales reveal an extraordinary legacy from prehistoric times. Egypt's environment has changed dramatically over millennia, and the species that have survived have made their homes in diverse terrain: deserts and mountains, the Nile Valley and sea coasts, temple ruins, and even city skies and streets.Today, Egypt's vibrant habitats host amazing cat, canine, and bird species, exotic residents like crocodiles and bats, numerous reptiles, butterflies, and insects, and domesticated animals like the camel. Tracing the history of Egypt's extinct species reveals an unusual timeline of geological transformations and climate change. The natural history of Egypt is often overlooked, yet invaluable to understanding Egyptology, as well as the country's future as the environment continues to drastically change.This colorful book combines the artwork and text of four of the AUC Press Nature Foldouts: Egypt's Flora & Fauna, Birds of the Nile Valley, Ancient Egypt's Wildlife, and Egypt's Prehistoric Fauna.Including striking full-color illustrations, photographs, diagrams and maps, and information from leading scientific experts, this book is a great introduction to Egypt's unique natural history.
£8.66
Blacksmith Books The Last Tigers of Hong Kong: True stories of big
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£12.59
Spitalfields Life Books The Life Times of Mr Pussy
Book SynopsisAnyone that has a cat will recognise the truth of this tender biography by The Gentle Author.I was always disparaging of those who doted over their pets, as if this apparent sentimentality were an indicator of some character flaw. That changed when I bought a cat, just a couple of weeks after the death of my father.Filled with sentiment yet never sentimental, The Life & Times of Mr Pussy is a literary hymn to the intimate relationship between humans and animals.
£13.50
Orion Publishing Co Featherhood The best piece of nature writing
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£12.74
Milkweed Editions Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with an Arctic
Book SynopsisFor eons, female members of the Porcupine caribou herd have made the journey from their winter feeding grounds to their summer calving grounds—which happen to lie on vast reserves of oil. They once roamed borderless wilderness; now they trek from Canada, where they’re protected, to the United States, where they are not. In April 2003, wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer and filmmaker Leanne Allison set out with the Porcupine caribou herd. Walking along with the animals over four mountain ranges, through hundreds of passes, and across dozens of rivers—a thousand-mile journey altogether, from the Yukon Territory to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and then back again—they reached a new understanding of what is at stake in the debate over drilling for oil. More than a tale of grand adventure or an activist tract, however, Being Caribou is a “gripping, cinematic tale” (Los Angeles Times) with the “bite of a political tract” (Washington Post) about the power of wilderness and how it returns us to the roots of human instinct. On the caribou’s trail Heuer and Allison learn what is possible when two people immerse themselves in the uniquely wild experience of migration, discovering in the process a different way of being.
£12.34
Milkweed Editions A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the
Book SynopsisSince its establishment as a federally protected wilderness in 1964, the Boundary Waters has become one of our nation’s most valuable—and most frequently visited—natural treasures. When Amy and Dave Freeman learned of toxic mining proposed within the area’s watershed, they decided to take action—by spending a year in the wilderness, and sharing their experience through video, photos, and blogs with an audience of hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens. This book tells the deeper story of their adventure in northern Minnesota: of loons whistling under a moonrise, of ice booming as it forms and cracks, of a moose and her calf swimming across a misty lake. With the magic—and urgent—message that has rallied an international audience to the campaign to save the Boundary Waters, A Year in the Wilderness is a rousing cry of witness activism, and a stunning tribute to this singularly beautiful region.Trade ReviewPraise for A Year in the Wilderness Named One of Twenty Big Indie Books of Fall 2017 by Publishers Weekly Featured in the Wall Street Journal "With this book, the Freemans prove themselves natural successors of Sigurd Olson's legacy of carefully crafted activist writing. . . . It is an excellent book for any season—once you read it, you will find it difficult to get the Freeman’s singing wilderness or their lone, lingering call of warning out of your head."―Los Angeles Review “For 365 days in 2015 and 2016, the Freemans lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, paddling a canoe or towing a toboggan from campsite to campsite. They fell through the ice. They were trailed by wolves. They drank from the lakes. Mostly, they bore witness.”―Minneapolis Star Tribune “Gorgeous . . . [the Freemans’] words are complemented by an outstanding selection of photographs that immerse the reader in the watery landscape, making an indelible impact.”―Canoe & Kayak “Through evocative personal narrative and nature photography, the Freemans . . . speak with a single attentive and amiable voice that centers the joys and challenges of navigating the land and water. . . . Gorgeous color photographs focus on the human experience of being in wilderness and augment a novel work that should draw attention to the plight of the Boundary Waters.”―Publishers Weekly “This book is a documentary on paper, the plural we of the authors’ voice inviting the reader to join the conversation … We need conservation activism, we need adventure activism, we need witness activism, and we need more writers to put places to the page. The BWCA was protected through the written word and A Year in the Wilderness is an extension of that work.”―Orion Magazine “The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is among our nation’s great natural treasures. It is also fragile, and increasingly threatened by the prospect of sulfide-ore copper mining. At this moment in our history, when calls are growing to privatize public lands and weaken national parks, adventurers Amy and Dave Freeman spent a year in the Boundary Waters, experiencing its singular beauty and advocating for its preservation. In this extraordinary book, they have done us all an invaluable service, offering a wonderfully compelling testimony for the value of wild places and the creatures who inhabit them. I urge you to read it, and then to join the Freemans in advocating for the preservation of the Boundary Waters.”―Vice President Walter Mondale “Recounting their adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Amy and Dave Freeman offer a compelling tale about the beauty as well as the brutal challenges of living a year in this northern wilderness―one of our nation’s very first areas protected by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Their first-hand observations about the wild, the land ethic, and threats to this natural heritage build on a long tradition. Exemplifying a new generation of outdoors writer-adventurers, the Freemans infuse excitement and energy into the wilderness canon crafted by Mardy and Olaus Murie, Sigurd Olson, and other champions in earlier generations who have done so much to protect our wild places by describing them with a keen eye and a passionate heart.”―Jamie Williams, President, The Wilderness Society “Here’s the story of a great adventure in one of the planet’s most gorgeous wildernesses―and with high stakes at risk in a fight to stave off a truly gross assault on its integrity. So many reasons to read this book!”―Bill McKibben, author of Wandering Home “Although my adventures have taken me to both ends of the earth, I share with Amy and Dave Freeman the same life-affirming natural centerpoint for physical and spiritual sustenance: Minnesota’s Boundary Waters wilderness. While I occasionally get to taste the wonders of this pristine place, they got to live and breathe it for a full year. The depth of their insights in this remarkable book reflects the intensity of their extraordinary experience and their love for this amazing national treasure.”―Ann Bancroft “All-in-all this is a fantastic narrative, with something for every outdoor-loving reader. The descriptions of the wilderness in four seasons will make nature-lovers happy. Stories of the gear, sled dogs and camping’s constant problem-solving will please experienced trekkers. And there is a note of nostalgia in the effort, proof that a man and a woman can leave the city behind and make a difference in the world. “Dave and Amy Freeman understand something very significant―that an iconic object such as a canoe can make a strong political statement, in this case in opposition to sulfide-ore mining in a pristine wilderness―much like an earlier American hero, Woody Guthrie, used his guitar to fight fascism. This land, they all say, is your land.”―Mark Neuzil, coauthor of Canoes: A Natural History in North America
£21.24
Anness Publishing Wild Flowers & Flora, The World Encyclopedia of:
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£6.99
Icon Books Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The Hidden 95% of
Book Synopsis'Clear and compact ... It's hard to fault as a brief, easily digestible introduction to some of the biggest questions in the Universe' Giles Sparrow, BBC Four's The Sky at Night, Best astronomy and space books of 2019: 5/5All the matter and light we can see in the universe makes up a trivial 5 per cent of everything. The rest is hidden. This could be the biggest puzzle that science has ever faced.Since the 1970s, astronomers have been aware that galaxies have far too little matter in them to account for the way they spin around: they should fly apart, but something concealed holds them together. That 'something' is dark matter - invisible material in five times the quantity of the familiar stuff of stars and planets.By the 1990s we also knew that the expansion of the universe was accelerating. Something, named dark energy, is pushing it to expand faster and faster. Across the universe, this requires enough energy that the equivalent mass would be nearly fourteen times greater than all the visible material in existence.Brian Clegg explains this major conundrum in modern science and looks at how scientists are beginning to find solutions to it.Trade ReviewClear and compact ... It's hard to fault as a brief, easily digestible introduction to some of the biggest questions in the Universe -- Giles Sparrow, BBC Sky at Night * Best astronomy and space books of 2019: 5/5 *
£9.49
Exisle Publishing Woof: A book of happiness for dog lovers
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£8.54
Waterford Press Ltd African Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to
Book SynopsisEco-tourists, adventurers, and nature lovers will find African Wildlife to be the ideal pocket-sized, folding guide to refer to on safari. The familiar elephant is one of thousands of species of animals inhabiting the diverse ecosystems found throughout region. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and includes a map of the country's vegetation zones. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field on safari. Made in the USA.
£5.99
Transworld Publishers Ltd The Unexpected Truth About Animals: Stoned
Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2018 Royal Society Investment Science Book Prize'Endlessly fascinating.' - Bill Bryson 'Eye-opening, informative and very funny!' - Chris Packham'Well-informed and downright funny' - Richard DawkinsHistory is full of strange animal stories invented by the brightest and most influential, from Aristotle to Disney. But when it comes to understanding animals, we’ve got a long way to go. Whether we’re watching a viral video of romping baby pandas or looking at a picture of penguins ‘holding hands’, we often project our own values – innocence, abstinence, hard work – onto animals. So you’ve probably never considered that moose get drunk and that penguins are notorious cheats. In The Unexpected Truth About Animals Zoologist Lucy unravels many such myths – that eels are born from sand, that swallows hibernate under water, and that bears gave birth to formless lumps that are licked into shape by their mothers – to show that the stories we create reveal as much about us as they do about the animals. Astonishing, illuminating and laugh-out-loud funny.Trade ReviewA bloody fabulous read. Thoroughly recommend. -- Sue Perkins (Twitter)A riot of facts....Cooke scores a series of goals with style and panache. * The Times *Beautifully written, meticulously researched, with the science often couched in outrageous asides, this is a splendid read. In fact, I cannot remember when I last enjoyed a non-fiction work so much. * Daily Express *Best science pick.Sigmund Freud's first paper involved the dissection of eels in an attempt to locate their testes. To his frustration, Freud failed to find any. The eel's life cycle remains slippery, notes natural-history broadcaster Lucy Cooke in her deeply researched, sassily written history of "the biggest misconceptions, mistakes and myths we've concocted about the animal kingdom", spread by figures from Aristotle to Walt Disney. Other chapters spotlight the sloth, vulture, hippopotamus, panda, chimpanzee and others, and dismantle anthropocentric clichés with scientific, global evidence. * Nature *Lucy Cooke's The Unexpected Truth About Animals was a joy from beginning to end. Who could resist a writer who argues that penguins have been pulling the wool over our eyes for years, and that, far from being cute and gregarious, they are actually pathologically unpleasant necrophiliacs? * Guardian *
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Peak District Park Rangers Favourite Walks 20 of
Book SynopsisThe perfect companions for exploring the National Parks.Walking guide to the Peak District National Park, with 20 best routes chosen by the park rangers. Each walk varies in length from 2 to 10 km and can be completed in less than 4 hours.20 best routes chosen and written by National Park rangersWalks from 2 to 10kmDetailed description for each walk with highlights clearly marked on the map along with an accompanying map and photographsGeneral information about the National Park plus basic advice on walkingThis and the Peak District National Park Pocket Map (ISBN: 9780008439217) are the perfect companions for exploring this superb walking area of England.Trade Review“Walking guides from Collins will have you expertly traversing the landscape like a park ranger.” – Great British Life
£6.99
HarperCollins Publishers South Downs National Park Pocket Map
Book SynopsisHandy little full colour map and guide of South Downs National Park.Detailed mapping and visitor information to the National Park along with a selection of photographs. Map at a scale of 1:125 000 (1cm to 1.25km, 2.0 miles to 1 inch).This small map with additional text and photographs gives a great overview of the South Downs National Park, and is the perfect companion for exploring this beautiful area of South East England.Clear, detailed mappingKey park, tourist and travel informationIdeal for planning visits to the National ParkIndex to help locate and plan your trip Information on the South Downs Way, Miles Without Stiles routes, the Seven Sisters and other places of interestDiscover more about the walking routes at this National Park with the South Downs Park Rangers Favourite Walks (ISBN: 9780008439118).
£5.68
The University of Chicago Press Equestrian Cultures Horses Human Society and the
Book SynopsisAs much as dogs, cats, or any domestic animal, horses exemplify the vast range of human-animal interactions. Horses have long been deployed to help with a variety of human activitiesfrom racing and riding to police work, farming, warfare, and therapyand have figured heavily in the history of natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Most accounts of the equine-human relationship, however, fail to address the last few centuries of Western history, focusing instead on pre-1700 interactions. Equestrian Cultures fills in the gap, telling the story of how prominently horses continue to figure in our lives, up to the present day. Kristen Guest and Monica Mattfeld place the modern period front and center in this collection, illuminating the largely untold story of how the horse has responded to the accelerated pace of modernity. The book's contributors explore equine cultures across the globe, drawing from numerous interdisciplinary sources to show how horses have unexpectedl
£24.70
Random House USA Inc Isaacs Storm
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£12.41
Random House USA Inc Arctic Dreams
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£15.30
The Natural History Museum British Palaeozoic Fossils British Fossils
Book SynopsisIn this fully revised and updated edition of British Paleozoic Fossils 443 species from this time are described and classified and illustrated with accurate black-and-white line drawings. Reflecting advances in our understanding of the fossil record, it features those animal and plant species that are most commonly found in Britain.
£12.74
Faber & Faber The Stubborn Light of Things
Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES NATURE BOOK OF THE YEAR*UPDATED EDITION FEATURING EXTRA MATERIAL*A nature diary by award-winning novelist, nature writer and hit podcaster Melissa Harrison, following her journey from urban south London to the rural Suffolk countryside.''A writer of great gifts.'' ROBERT MACFARLANE''The journal of a writer to compare to Thomas Hardy. Melissa Harrison is among our most celebrated nature writers.'' JOHN CAREY, THE TIMESA Londoner for over twenty years, moving from flat to Tube to air-conditioned office, Melissa Harrison knew what it was to be insulated from the seasons. Adopting a dog and going on daily walks helped reconnect her with the cycle of the year and the quiet richness of nature all around her: swifts nesting in a nearby church; ivy-leaved toadflax growing out of brick walls; the first blackbird''s song; an exhilarating glimpse of a hobby over Tooting Common.Moving from scrappy c
£9.49
William Morrow & Company Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal
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£19.54
Princeton University Press Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West
Book SynopsisDragonflies and Damselflies of the West is the first fully illustrated field guide to all 348 species of dragonflies and damselflies in western North America. Dragonflies and damselflies are large, stunningly beautiful insects, as readily observable as birds and butterflies. This unique guide makes identifying them easy--its compact size and user-friendly design make it the only guide you need in the field. Every species is generously illustrated with full-color photographs and a distribution map, and structural features are illustrated where they aid in-hand identification. Detailed species accounts include information on size, distribution, flight season, similar species, habitat, and natural history. Dennis Paulson''s introduction provides an essential primer on the biology, natural history, and conservation of these important and fascinating insects, along with helpful tips on how to observe and photograph them. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West is the field guide naturalists, conservationists, and dragonfly enthusiasts have been waiting for. Covers all 348 western species in detail Features a wealth of color photographs Provides a color distribution map for every species Includes helpful identification tips Serves as an essential introduction to dragonflies and their natural history Trade ReviewHonorable Mention for the 2009 National Outdoor Book Award in Nature Guidebooks "Who knew that there were 348 species of dragonflies and damselflies in the Western United States? That fact alone should make nature lovers who enjoy traveling to wild places want to check out Dennis Paulson's new book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West, published by Princeton University Press... This guide includes information on flight seasons, habitat and natural history in the description of each insect as well as helpful tips on how to observe and photograph them."--Salt Lake Tribune "Bird watching has been a common hobby for centuries, and butterfly watching has become popular in the last few decades. Odonate watching is the newest pastime. Here, Paulson offers a comprehensive guide to Odonata of western North America... This well-written, informative guide is a 'must have' for any person, amateur or scholar, interested in these insects."--Choice "[T]hese volumes are obviously authoritative, comprehensive and clearly designed with the needs of the naturalist in mind. The photographs are excellent and ... the text makes up for the unavoidable shortcomings of a photo-guide by including full descriptions of each species. Altogether, these two volumes constitute a complete, highly informative and beautifully illustrated guide to the Odonata of North America."--Guy Padfield, UKbutterfliesTable of ContentsPreface 7 Introduction 9 Natural History of Odonates 11 Odonate Anatomy 22 Odonate Colors 26 Odonate Names 27 Finding Odonates 28 Identifying Odonates 29 Odonate Photography 31 Odonate Collecting and Collections 32 Odonate Threats and Conservation 35 Odonate Research 36 Odonates in the West 37 Explanation of Species Accounts 37 Damselflies (Zygoptera) 41 Broad- winged Damsel Family (Calopterygidae) 41 Spreadwing Family (Lestidae) 50 Pond Damsel Family (Coenagrionidae) 73 Shadowdamsel Family (Platystictidae) 184 Threadtail Family (Protoneuridae) 186 Dragonflies (Anisoptera) 191 Petaltail Family (Petaluridae) 191 Darner Family (Aeshnidae) 194 Clubtail Family (Gomphidae) 237 Spiketail Family (Cordulegastridae) 308 Cruiser Family (Macromiidae) 314 Emerald Family (Corduliidae) 323 Skimmer Family (Libellulidae) 372 Species Added to the Western Fauna 519 Appendix: Dragonfly Publications and Resources 521 Glossary 523 Index 527
£25.20
Princeton University Press Birds of Europe North Africa and the Middle East
Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is an exceptional collection of photos... The photos are printed at extremely high resolutions. That many photos and so many birds in 443 pages is asking a lot, but all is crisply delivered."--Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star Tribune's Wingnut blogTable of ContentsIntroduction 6 Species descriptions 12 Swans 12 Geese 14 Shelducks 21 Dabbling ducks 22 Whistling ducks 28 Diving ducks 28 Sea ducks 34 Stifftails 41 Vagrant and exotic ducks 42 Gamebirds 45 Divers (Loons) 55 Grebes 58 Shearwaters and petrels 61 Storm-petrels 66 Rare petrels and albatrosses 67 Frigatebirds 75 Tropicbirds 76 Gannets and boobies 77 Pelicans 80 Cormorants 81 Herons, bitterns and egrets 83 Storks 93 Spoonbills and ibises 94 Spoonbills and storks 96 Flamingos 97 Honey-buzzards 99 Buzzards 101 Snake eagles 105 Kites 106 Vultures 108 Harriers 113 Eagles 117 Osprey and Black-shouldered Kite 126 Accipiters 127 Falcons 129 Rails, crakes and gallinules 137 Cranes 143 Bustards 145 Oystercatcher and Turnstone 148 Stilts and avocets 149 Stone-curlews and coursers 150 Pratincoles 151 Plovers and lapwings 153 Sandpipers 162 Woodcocks and snipes 173 Dowitchers and Upland Sandpiper 176 Godwits 177 Curlews 178 Larger sandpipers 180 Phalaropes 185 Skuas (Jaegers) 187 Gulls 190 Terns 211 Auks 222 Sandgrouse 227 Pigeons and doves 229 Parakeets 234 Cuckoos 235 Owls 238 Nightjars 246 Swifts 248 Contents Kingfishers 251 Rollers 253 Bee-eaters 254 Hoopoe 255 Woodpeckers 256 Larks 262 Swallows and martins 269 Pipits 274 Wagtails 279 Accentors 284 Wren and Dipper 286 Robins and chats 287 Redstarts 291 Stonechats 295 Wheatears 298 Rock thrushes 303 Thrushes 304 Bush warblers and cisticolas 311 Grasshopper warblers 312 Reed warblers 315 Tree warblers 320 Sylvia warblers 324 Leaf warblers 333 Crests 341 Old World flycatchers 343 Tyrant flycatchers 348 Penduline tit and leiothrix 350 Reedling and parrotbill 351 Long-tailed tit 352 Tits 353 Nuthatches 358 Treecreepers 360 Wallcreeper and Golden Oriole 361 Shrikes 362 Crows and jays 370 Starlings 377 Waxwings 379 Bulbuls and mynas 381 Sparrows 382 Introduced exotic finches 386 Finches 389 Buntings 404 Vagrant Nearctic passerines 417 New World warblers 433 Index 434 Photographic credits 444
£25.20
Princeton University Press A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and
Book SynopsisA groundbreaking photographic field guide to almost all of Mexico's butterfly species and many of Central America's This is a revised second edition of a groundbreaking photographic field guide to the butterflies of Mexico and Central America. It covers almost all of the more than 1,700 butterfly species found in Mexico, plus many found only in CeTrade ReviewPraise for Jeffrey Glassberg's previous butterfly books: "Glassberg treats his subject as an open door. Walk through it and begin what can be a lifetime adventure."--E. O. Wilson Praise for Jeffrey Glassberg's previous butterfly books: "May do for butterflies what Peterson did for birds."--Village Voice
£29.75
Princeton University Press How Birds Evolve
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Birdwatcher's Yearbook Best Bird Book of the Year""Terrific. . . . Futuyma writes an accessible overview of bird evolution that lay readers, especially birders, will be able to understand." * BirdWatching *"[Futuyma] skillfully weaves together salient themes of evolutionary biology from the living aviary, stressing the important role that birds played in advancing our understanding of evolution."---Alan Feduccia, Science"This engaging and wide-ranging summary of virtually every aspect of avian evolution synthesizes the earliest insights from Darwin to those of modern phylogenetics, using birds to illustrate each concept. ... [Futuyma] may be the ideal person to explain the marvels of bird evolution."---Daniel S. Cooper, The Quarterly Review of Biology"How Birds Evolve is accessible, exhilarating science for everyone – amateur birder, professional naturalist or just the average man. It’s a great book and one to read over and over and I thoroughly recommend it to all. This is already my Bird Book of 2022 and I can't see it being bettered."---Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog"How Birds Evolve is a book full of accessible and exhilarating science for everyone and not just birders and professional naturalists. It’s simply a stunning book and one to read numerous times and an example of the amalgamation of science and nature writing at its finest and I thoroughly recommend it to everyone."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association"The delight is in the detail. . . . Futuyma unpacks the story of evolutionary science alongside the story of how birds evolved. . . . [How Birds Evolve] is entertaining and passionate."---Simon Ings, New Scientist"[Futuyma’s] life-long passion and competence guide us across the pages of this book with a hint of humour."---Gaia Bazz, Community Ecology
£29.75
The History Press Ltd The Archaeology of Animal Bones
Book SynopsisAnimal bones are one of the most abundant types of evidence found in archaeological sites dating from pre-historic times to the Middle Ages, and they can reveal a startling amount about the economy and way of life of people in the past.
£16.99
The History Press Ltd Prehistoric Cooking
Book SynopsisIf you imagine that our ancient forbears ate weak gruel, some meat, and bread so hard that it was practically inedible, Jacqui Wood''s study and recreation of ancient cooking methods and recipes will be a revelation. Based on experimental archaeology at the author''s world-famous research settlement in Cornwall, this book describes the ingredients of prehistoric cooking and the methods of food preparation. A general overview of the lifestyle of our prehistoric ancestors is followed by detailed sections (plus cookbook-style recipes) on: bread; dairy foods; meat, fish and vegetable stews; cooking with hot stones; clay-baked food; salt and the seashore menu; peas, beans and lentils; herbs and spices; vegetables; yeast, wine, beer and teas; sweets and puddings. At the end of the book you will realise that a barbecue in the summer need not be sausages on a gas cooker; it could be fish wrapped in grasses and clay, baked in a fire pit at the end of the garden, followed by sweet fruit, seaweed jelly and washed down by Neolithic wine.
£23.38
Johns Hopkins University Press Turtles of the United States and Canada 2e
Book SynopsisLogically organized and richly illustrated-with more than two hundred color photographs and fifty-two maps-Turtles of the United States and Canada remains the standard for libraries, museums, nature centers, field biologists, and professional and amateur herpetologists alike.Trade ReviewAnyone interested in turtles will want this book! Birdbooker Report 2009 Any college-level natural sciences library serious about turtles must have this substantially revised, updated second edition of the classic reference: Turtles of the United States and Canada. New species names supplements color photos charts, maps, and more in an extensive, detailed reference that is a 'must' for any definitive library. Midwest Book Review 2009 The 645 pages of text, plus over 150 pages of references make it an almost limitless source of information on the chelonia of this part of the world. For such a well-presented and beautifully illustrated book, it represents excellent value for money for professional and amateur herpetologists alike. -- Christine Tilley British Chelonia Group Newsletter 2009 If I did for some reason need to limit my turtle library to a single volume this book would be the one. -- David S. Lee Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 2009 Ernst and Lovich have outdone themselves this time. The terms 'monumental' and of 'epic proportions' certainly come to mind... Truly amazing... This book is a real gem. -- Chuck Schaffer Turtle and Tortoise Newsletter 2009 This work will be a standard reference on the shelves of libraries and other institutions with an interest in turtles. -- Helen Ashton Reference Reviews 2010 This second edition is an impressive accomplishment. Summarizing so much provides information is a daunting task and this book provides an amazing gateway into the vast body of scientific literature on North American turtles. -- David Seburn Canadian Field-Naturalist Turtles of the United States and Canada continues to be among the best taxa-specific ecological references ever compiled. It should be on the shelf of every library, serious turtle expert, herpetologist, vertebrate ecologist, or natural history buff. -- Joshua M. Kapfer Natural Areas Journal 2010Table of ContentsPrefaceAbbreviationsConservation of the Turtles of the United States and CanadaIdentification of the Turtles of the United States and CanadaCheloniidae: Marine TurtlesCaretta caretta, Loggerhead SeaturtleChelonia mydas, Green SeaturtleEretmochelys imbricata, Hawksbill SeaturtleLepidochelys kempii, Kemp's Ridley SeaturtleLepidochelys olivacea, Olive Ridley SeaturtleChelydridae: Snapping TurtlesChelydra serpentina, Snapping TurtleMacrochelys temminckii, Alligator Snapping TurtleDermochelyidae: Leatherback SeaturtlesDermochelys coriacea, Leatherback SeaturtleEmydidae: Semiaquatic Pond and Marsh TurtlesActinemys marmorata, Pacific Pond TurtleChrysemys picta, Painted TurtleClemmys guttata, Spotted TurtleDeirochelys reticularia, Chicken TurtleEmydoidea blandingii, Blanding's TurtleGlyptemys insculpta, Wood TurtleGlyptemys muhlenbergii, Bog TurtleGraptemys barbouri, Barbour's Map TurtleGraptemys caglei, Cagle's Map TurtleGraptemys ernsti, Escambia Map TurtleGraptemys flavimaculata, Yellow-blotched Map TurtleGraptemys geographica, Northern Map TurtleGraptemys gibbonsi, Pascagoula Map TurtleGraptemys nigrinoda, Black-knobbed Map TurtleGraptemys oculifera, Ringed Map TurtleGraptemys ouachitensis, Ouachita Map TurtleGraptemys pseudogeographica, False Map TurtleGraptemys pulchra, Alabama Map TurtleGraptemys versa, Texas Map TurtleMalaclemys terrapin, Diamond-backed TerrapinPseudemys alabamensis, Alabama Red-bellied CooterPseudemys concinna, River CooterPseudemys gorzugi, Rio Grande CooterPseudemys nelsoni, Florida Red-bellied CooterPseudemys peninsularis, Peninsula CooterPseudemys rubriventris, Northern Red-bellied CooterPseudemys suwanniensis, Suwannee CooterPseudemys texana, Texas River CooterTerrapene carolina, Eastern Box TurtleTerrapene ornata, Ornate Box TurtleTrachemys gaigeae, Big Bend SliderTrachemys scripta, Pond SliderKinosternidae: Mud and Musk TurtlesKinosternon arizonense, Arizona Mud TurtleKinosternon baurii, Striped Mud TurtleKinosternon flavescens, Yellow Mud TurtleKinosternon hirtipes, Rough-footed Mud TurtleKinosternon sonoriense, Sonora Mud TurtleKinosternon subrubrum, Eastern Mud TurtleSternotherus carinatus, Razor-backed Musk TurtleSternotherus depressus, Flattened Musk TurtleSternotherus minor, Loggerhead Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus, Common Musk Turtle or StinkpotTestudinidae: TortoisesGopherus agassizii, Desert TortoiseGopherus berlandieri, Berlandier's TortoiseGopherus polyphemus, Gopher TortoiseTrionychidae: Softshell TurtlesApalone ferox, Florida SoftshellApalone mutica, Smooth SoftshellApalone spinifera, Spiny SoftshellPalea steindachneri,Wattle-necked SoftshellPelodiscus sinensis, Chinese SoftshellGlossary of Scientific NamesBibliographyIndex to Scientific and Common Names
£79.20
University of Minnesota Press Plants Have So Much to Give Us All We Have to D
Book SynopsisTable of ContentsContentsForewordWendy Makoons GeniuszIntroductionA Note on Botanical UsageInvocation1. Traditional Anishinaabe Teaching About Plants“The Year the Roses Died”The Primacy of PlantsHow do We Know This, or the Descent of Our Knowledge?Talking to PlantsIndigenous or Imported?The Use of Story in Ethnobotany2. Indinawemaaganag: All of My Relatives“How Cedar Came into the World: The Creation Story of Cedar and Bearberry”“Nookomis Giizhik: The Cedar Song”White Cedar, Nokomis Giizhik, Thuja occidentalisTraditional Anishinaabe Advice to Youth“The Lady of the Red and Black Wigwam”Cedar Medicines“The Birch Tree, the Maple Tree, and Nanaboozhoo”Paper Birch, Nimishoomis Wiigwaas, Betula papyrifera“Nanaboozhoo and the Thunderbirds”“The Runner and the Birch Sap”Balsam fir, Nimisenh, Abies balsamea3. Other Conifers Important to the Anishinaabeg“Why Some Trees Keep Their Leaves When Others do Not”“Nanaboozhoo and Paul Bunyan”The Pines, Tacobeshig, Pinus spp.White Pine, Zhingwaak, Pinus strobusRed Pine, Apakwanagemag, Pinus resinosaJack Pine, Wakikaandag, Pinus banksianaScotch Pine, Pinus sylvestrisMedicinal Virtues of the PinesFoot BathsInhalants from PinesSpruce, Gaawaandag, Picea mariana and Picea glaucaThe Virtues of SpruceThe Ancient WarriorTamarack, Mashkiigmitig, Larix laricinaThe Medicinal Virtues of TamarackEastern Hemlock, Gaagaagiwanzh, Tsuga canadensisJuniper, Juniperus horizontalis,Juniperus communis, and Juniperus virginiana4. Three Food Plants that have been Very Useful to the Anishinaabeg“Nanaboozhoo and the Dancing Men”Cattail, Apakweshkway, Typha latifolia and Typha angustifoliaLabrador Tea, Mashkiigobag, Ledum groenlandicumJerusalem Artichokes, Giizisoojiibik, Helianthus tuberosus5. Four Plants that the Anishinaabeg have Used in the Traditional, Material Culture“The Shut-eye Dance: The Creation of Red Osier, Bittersweet, and Lichens”The Cornus FamilyRed Osier, Miskwaabiimizh, Cornus stoloniferaBunchberry, Ode’iminijiibik, Cornus canadensisStaghorn Sumac, Baakwaanaatig, Rhus typhinaSphagnum Moss, Aasaakamig, Sphagnum spp.“Nanaboozhoo and the Squeaky–Voice Plant”Nanaboozhoo’s Squeaky–Voice Plant: Lycopodium, Lycopodium spp.6. Major Medicinal Plants that have Shared Their Virtues with the AnishinaabegYarrow, Waabanoganzh, Achillea millefoliumMullein, Nookaadiziganzh, Verbascum thapsus“The South Wind and the Maiden of the Golden Hair”Dandelion, Doodooshaaboojiibik, Taraxacum officinalePlantain, Omakakiibag, Plantago major and Plantago lanceolataRoses, Oginiiminagaawanzh, Rosa spp.The EupatoriumsJoe Pye Weed, Bagizowin, Eupatorium purpureumShield and Lance Plant, Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum and Eupatorium rugosumJewelweed, Ozaawashkojiibik, Impatiens capensis,Impatiens pallida, and Poison Ivy, Animikiibag, Toxicodendron radicansThe Monarda FamilyWild Bergamot, “Baby Saver Plant”, Monarda fistulosaBee Balm, Aamoogaawanzh, Monarda didymaGoldthread, Ozaawijiibik, Coptis groenlandicaViolets, Waawiyebag, Viola spp.“Nanaboozhoo and Name”The
£17.09
Duke University Press Decolonizing Extinction
Book SynopsisIn Decolonizing Extinction Juno Salazar Parreñas ethnographically traces the ways in which colonialism, decolonization, and indigeneity shape relations that form more-than-human worlds at orangutan rehabilitation centers on Borneo. Parreñas tells the interweaving stories of wildlife workers and the centers'' endangered animals while demonstrating the inseparability of risk and futurity from orangutan care. Drawing on anthropology, primatology, Southeast Asian history, gender studies, queer theory, and science and technology studies, Parreñas suggests that examining workers’ care for these semi-wild apes can serve as a basis for cultivating mutual but unequal vulnerability in an era of annihilation. Only by considering rehabilitation from perspectives thus far ignored, Parreñas contends, could conservation biology turn away from ultimately violent investments in population growth and embrace a feminist sense of welfare, even if it means expeTrade Review"This is seriously thought-provoking and challenging material, and it may be essential to understand it if we want to save orangutans from ourselves." -- John R. Platt * The Revelator *"Impactful. . . . Juno S. Parreñas details diverse assumptions and expectations participants bring to this complex network, thereby generating a unique and timely addition to the conservation literature. Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals." -- L. K. Sheeran * Choice *"Decolonizing Extinction is essential reading for anyone with the ambition to do multispecies ethnography well. It’s also a beautiful and moving book that struggles with the ethical weight of ethnography as a mode of knowledge production." -- Gabriel N. Rosenberg * Radical History Review *"[This book] excels in these tricky in-between places: in meetings between species, between temporalities, between bodies, between genders, between sexes, and across divergent positions within colonial histories and presents. Parreñas tracks meetings across difference with the best kind of ethnographic sensitivity." -- Rosemary Collard * Society & Space *"Decolonizing Extinction offers a compelling example of why feminism is well suited and positioned to take on issues related to animals, as well as how gender relations of power are necessarily embedded in human-animal relations, and in turn broader process of colonization and arrested autonomy." -- Alice Hovorka * Society & Space *"The book brilliantly weaves discussions about broader socio-political transformations and norms alongside very careful and detailed accounts of the everyday practices and interactions between orangutans and people." -- Krithika Srinivasan * Society & Space *"A powerful, thought-provoking, and touching account of the quotidian nature of mass extinction." -- Becky Mansfield * Society & Space *"Parreñas’s Decolonizing Extinction is a beautifully written book, in which she uses a case study of orangutan rehabilitation on Borneo to weave together many complex analytic threads: gender, race, and labor; care, violence, and freedom; liberalism and neoliberalism; the geological past, the colonial present, and the prospect of a different future." -- Rebecca Lave * Society & Space *“With Decolonizing Extinction, Juno Salazar Parreñas gives us a groundbreaking and beautifully written multispecies ethnography that explores the entwined lives of human and nonhuman primates. Deftly combining primatology, political ecology, and postcolonial and feminist theory, her book will interest biological and cultural anthropologists alike and has the potential to foster deeper cross-disciplinary engagement.” -- Genese Marie Sodikoff * American Ethnologist *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction: Decolonizing Extinction 1 Part I. Relations 1. From Ape Motherhood to Tough Love 33 2. On the Surface of Skin and Earth 61 Part II. Enclosures 3. Forced Copulation for Conservation 83 4. Finding a Living 105 Part III. Futures 5. Arrested Autonomy 131 6. Hospice for a Dying Species 157 Conclusion: Living and Dying Together 177 Notes 189 References 223 Index 255
£19.79
Wild Nature Press The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the
Book Synopsis
£16.14
John Wiley and Sons Ltd Reconstructing Earths Climate History
Book SynopsisReconstructing Earth's Climate History There has never been a more critical time for students to understand the record of Earth's climate history, as well as the relevance of that history to understanding Earth's present and likely future climate. There also has never been a more critical time for students, as well as the public-at-large, to understand how we know, as much as what we know, in science. This book addresses these needs by placing you, the student, at the center of learning. In this book, you will actively use inquiry-based explorations of authentic scientific data to develop skills that are essential in all disciplines: making observations, developing and testing hypotheses, reaching conclusions based on the available data, recognizing and acknowledging uncertainty in scientific data and scientific conclusions, and communicating your results to others.The context for understanding global climate change today lies in the records of Earth's past, Table of ContentsThe Authors viii Foreword from First Edition x Acknowledgments xi Book Introduction to the Second Edition for Students and Instructors xii About the Companion Website xvii 1 Chapter 1. Introduction to Paleoclimate Records 3 Part 1.1. Archives and Proxies 13 Part 1.2. Obtaining Cores from Terrestrial and Marine Paleoclimate Archives 27 Part 1.3. Owens Lake – An Introductory Case Study of Paleoclimate Reconstruction 31 Chapter 2. Seafloor Sediments 33 Part 2.1. Sediment Predictions 34 Part 2.2. Core Observation and Description 41 Part 2.3. Sediment Composition 52 Part 2.4. Seafloor Sediment Synthesis 57 Chapter 3. Geologic Time and Geochronology 59 Part 3.1. The Geologic Timescale 62 Part 3.2. Principles of Stratigraphy and Determining Relative Ages 64 Part 3.3. Radiometric Age Dating Fundamentals 69 Part 3.4. Using 40K – 40Ar Dating to Determine the Numerical Ages of Layered Volcanic Rocks 76 Part 3.5. Using Uranium Series Dating to Determine Changes in Growth Rate of Speleothems 89 Chapter 4. Paleomagnetism and Magnetostratigraphy 91 Part 4.1. Earth’s Magnetic Field Today and the Paleomagnetic Record of Deep‐Sea Sediments 100 Part 4.2. History of Discovery: Paleomagnetism in Ocean Crust and Marine Sediments 108 Part 4.3. Using Paleomagnetism to Test the Seafloor Spreading Hypothesis 114 Part 4.4. The Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale 119 Chapter 5. Microfossils and Biostratigraphy 121 Part 5.1. What Are Microfossils? Why Are They Important in Climate Change Science? 130 Part 5.2. Microfossils in Deep‐Sea Sediments 137 Part 5.3. Application of Microfossil First and Last Occurrences 144 Part 5.4. Using Microfossil Datums to Calculate Sedimentation Rates 149 Part 5.5. How Reliable Are Microfossil Datums? 156 Part 5.6. Organic‐Walled Microfossils: Marine Dinoflagellates and Terrestrial Pollen and Spores 165 Chapter 6. CO2 as a Climate Regulator During the Phanerozoic and Today 167 Part 6.1. The Short‐Term Global Carbon Cycle 169 Part 6.2. CO2 and Temperature 179 Part 6.3. Recent Changes in CO2 183 Part 6.4. The Long‐Term Global Carbon Cycle, CO2, and Phanerozoic Climate History 191 Part 6.5. Carbon Isotopes as a Tool for Tracking Changes in the Carbon Cycle 200 Chapter 7. Oxygen Isotopes as Proxies of Climate Change 202 Part 7.1. Introduction to Oxygen Isotope Records from Ice and Ocean Sediments 205 Part 7.2. The Hydrologic Cycle and Isotopic Fractionation 209 Part 7.3. δ18O in Meteoric Water and Glacial Ice 218 Part 7.4. δ18O in Marine Sediments 226 Chapter 8. Climate Cycles 228 Part 8.1. Patterns and Periodicities 245 Part 8.2. Orbital Metronome 250 Part 8.3. Glacial–Interglacial Periods and Modern Climate Change 255 Chapter 9. The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) Event 257 Part 9.1. An Important Discovery 260 Part 9.2. Global Consequences of the PETM 296 Part 9.3. Two Hypotheses for the Cause of the PETM 299 Part 9.4. Rates of Onset and Duration of Event 306 Part 9.5. Global Warming Today and Lessons from the PETM 314 Chapter 10. Glaciation of Antarctica: The Oi1 Event 316 Part 10.1. Initial Evidence 321 Part 10.2. Evidence for Global Change 342 Part 10.3. Mountain Building, Weathering, CO2 and Climate 349 Part 10.4. Legacy of the Oi1 Event: The Development of the Psychrosphere 355 Chapter 11. Antarctic Climate Variability in the Neogene 358 Part 11.1. What Do We Think We Know About the History of Antarctic Climate? 362 Part 11.2. What is Antarctica’s Geographic and Geologic Context? 375 Part 11.3. Selecting Drillsites to Best Answer our Questions 379 Part 11.4. What Sediment Facies are Common on the Antarctic Margin? 390 Part 11.5. The BIG Picture of ANDRILL 1‐B 398 Chapter 12. Pliocene Warmth as an Analog for Our Future 400 Part 12.1. The Last 5 Million Years 407 Part 12.2. Pliocene Latitudinal Temperature Gradient 414 Part 12.3. Estimates of Pliocene CO2 416 Part 12.4. Sea Level Past, Present, and Future 430 Chapter 13. Climate, Climate Change, and Life 432 Part 13.1. Initial Ideas 433 Part 13.2. The Long View: “Precambrian” and Phanerozoic Life and Climate 441 Part 13.3. Examples of Cenozoic Terrestrial Evolution and Climate Connections 458 Part 13.4. Examples of Cenozoic Marine Biotic Evolution and Climate Connections 469 Part 13.5. Humanity, Climate, and Life 481 Part 13.6. Humanity and Future Climate: At a Tipping Point 487 Chapter 14. Climate Change and Civilization 489 Part 14.1. Climate Change Here and Now 497 Part 14.2. Evidence of Climatic Stress on Ancient Maya Civilization 513 Part 14.3. The Precipitation Record of the North American Southwest: The Physical Record and Human Response 536 Index
£76.46
Scholastic Fluffy and Scruffy
Book SynopsisFluffy is a sleek and lovely kitty. Her claws are manicured and herhome is spotless. Her neighbour, Scruffy, is NOTHING like Fluffy. His fur is smelly and his claws are grimy - and his house ismessy and disgusting! But when the neighbours are both invaded bya large group of mice, the cats must work together to reclaim theirhomes.
£6.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Naming of the Shrew
Book SynopsisLatin names frequently unpronounceable, all too often wrong and always a tiny puzzle to unravel have been annoying the layman since they first became formalised as scientific terms in the eighteenth century. Why on earth has the entirely land-loving Eastern Mole been named Scalopus aquaticus, or the Oxford Ragwort been called Senecio squalidus dirty old man'? What were naturalists thinking when they called a beetle Agra katewinsletae, a genus of fish Batman, and a Trilobite Han solo? Why is zoology replete with names such as Chloris chloris chloris (the greenfinch), and Gorilla gorilla gorilla (a species of, well gorilla)?The Naming of the Shrew will unveil these mysteries, exploring the history, celebrating their poetic nature and revealing how naturalists sometimes get things so terribly wrong. With wonderfully witty style and captivating narrative, this book will make you see Latin names in a whole new light.Trade ReviewWho would have thought that a book about Latin names could be quite so compelling!! * Alan Titchmarsh *Brims with verbal curiosities * Nature *Nature writing at its best: insightful, entertaining and often very funny * British Wildlife *I have not fully recovered from the discovery that the proper Latin name of the western lowland gorilla is Gorilla gorilla gorilla * Independent on Sunday *Weird and wonderful * Sunday Telegraph *Charming * The Lady *The pleasure of Wright’s book is the contrast between the rigour required for giving names and the careless minds and mischievous humour of those who devise them * The Times *Fascinating and funny * BBC Countrylife *Erudite but whimsical ... a book as charming as it is wise * Irish Examiner *A great read * Grow Your Own *
£10.44
Johns Hopkins University Press The Sting of the Wild
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewSchmidt's tales will prove infectiously engaging even to entomophobes.—Publishers WeeklyOn Schmidt's pain scale, this book rates a zero—painless. On the pleasure scale, it rates a ten, a highly enjoyable read.—Natural HistoryReaders who share my fascination with the natural world, and particularly those who revel in unusual animal facts, will love The Sting of the Wild.—Between the CoversAn excellent book.—NewsweekA good read, with valuable evolutionary context for bees and their insect relatives interwoven with entertaining travel tales of an engaged entomologist.—American Bee JournalEven though the pain-laced topic might leave you wincing, Schmidt’s engaging and entertaining writing makes for a tale worth reading.—Scientific American[Schmidt's] low-down on sting biochemistry and physiology is relentlessly zestful, even as he recounts the swelling, burning consequences of his curiosity.—NatureThe Sting of the Wild is full of the stories of science of stings. Schmidt is an engaging writer, and his youthful enthusiasm for scary critters makes for a book that will sometimes scare you and sometimes make you double over with laughter . . . It’s a masterpiece of nature writing.—Nature's Cool Green ScienceIf you’re interested in bugs of any kind, and especially the notorious ones, this book will entertain, educate, and excite.—Discover MagazineNot only does he explain his Schmidt Sting Pain Index, wherein he rates the pain of numerous stings on a scale of one to four, but he also relates the fascinating natural histories of these animals.—National GeographicTotally fascinating.—FiveThirtyEightThe arms race that created the stinger hypodermic, and its biochemical warfare toxins, was a direct result of communal nesting, because the greater risk of predation demanded a formidable defensive strategy. This is the evolutionary theme through which the author lovingly interjects his own personal anecdotes.—BBC Wildlife MagazineIt's hard to imagine a nature book being more fascinating and fun.—Virgin Radio UKIn addition to providing colorful, connoisseur-grade descriptions of the pain caused by stings, The Sting of the Wild provides all sorts of information about stinging insects.—NewserBeautifully written . . . like nothing else you have ever read.—NPR's Science FridayFull of adventure, humor and Schmidt's impressive scholarship.—Redlands Daily FactsSchmidt, an entomologist at the Southwestern Biological Institute, is an excellent writer. He can write clear, engaging explanations of sting evolution and venom chemistry, as well as spin a good yarn about his adventures collecting stinging insects. I enjoyed his dry, judiciously applied, wit.—Pica HudsoniaThe Sting of the Wild weaves [Schmidt's] theories about stinging insects through a narrative of his personal experiences digging in the dirt. For many readers, the highlight of the book will be the appendix, his celebrated Pain Scale for Stinging Insects, which rates the pain level of dozens of insect stings, an index he created mostly by firsthand experience, either by suffering stings incidentally during field research or, in some cases, by inducing them. Because stings of the same magnitude don’t necessarily feel the same, Schmidt has written haiku-like descriptions for each of the 83 sting entries.—New York Times MagazineThe Sting of the Wild is a delicate and highly refreshing glimpse into the private mind of a professional scientist. —Times Literary SupplementSchmidt’s story is really new, refreshing, and thoroughly entertaining.—Journal of Natural HistoryThis is an informative and engaging story about the fascinating lives behind the insects that you may just think of as very annoying visitors at picnics.—The Biologist[A] surprisingly joyful book. . . Schmidt does a good job of passing on his boundless enthusiasm for insects. The sting of the wild is an easy read, packed with chemistry and anecdotes.—Chemistry WorldThe Sting of the Wild sheds light on the mysteries of stinging insects in a delightful and humorous narration. I recommend the book to every entomologist, ecologist, and naturalist interested in exploring the impressive world of Hymenoptera.—American EntomologistAnecdotes of field encounters with research subjects (and some incidentally encountered forest and desert coinhabitants) are woven throughout and bring readers close to what it feels like to be a field biologist. I will not spoil these dispatches fromthe front lines of venom, other than tomention that amongmy favorites were the author’s adventures with a large Bushmaster snake (a tropical viper) at night in the rain forest, a venomspraying species of wasp nesting above a tropical cliff, and the giant Asian honey bee (again at night) with a team of lucky (?) coworkers. If this cast of animal characters piques your curiosity, I am confident you will thoroughly enjoy The Sting of the Wild.This volume represents the best kind of natural history writing—a treasure trove of solid and fascinating biology cleverly disguised as a good read.—The Quarterly Review of BiologyThe Sting of the Wild is a great book for lay readers. Think of it as insect gossip, though verified gossip, of course. It has that convivial tone of sharing what's going on with the Jones, but the Jones are killer bees... You don't have to be a bug lover to enjoy The Sting of the Wild. I sure am not one, but nature is endlessly inventive and Schmidt knows how to make her inventions interesting and enjoyable.—Tonstant WeaderTable of ContentsPreface1. Stung2. The Stinger3. The First Stinging Insects4. The Pain Truth5. Sting Science6. Sweat Bees and Fire Ants7. Yellowjackets and Wasps8. Harvester Ants9. Tarantula Hawks and Solitary Wasps10. Bullet Ants11. Honey Bees and HumansAppendixReferencesIndex
£15.68
Johns Hopkins University Press Getting Under Our Skin
Book SynopsisHow vermin went from being part of everyone's life to a mark of disease, filth, and lower status. For most of our time on this planet, vermin were considered humanity's common inheritance. Fleas, lice, bedbugs, and rats were universal scourges, as pervasive as hunger or cold, at home in both palaces and hovels. But with the spread of microscopic close-ups of these creatures, the beginnings of sanitary standards, and the rising belief that cleanliness equaled class, vermin began to provide a way to scratch a different itch: the need to feel superior, and to justify the exploitation of those pronounced ethnicallyand entomologicallyinferior. In Getting Under Our Skin, Lisa T. Sarasohn tells the fascinating story of how vermin came to signify the individuals and classes that society impugns and ostracizes. How did these creatures go from annoyance to social stigma? And how did people thought verminous become considered almost a species of vermin themselves? Focusing on Great Britain and Table of ContentsIntroduction: Getting Under Our Skins: Vermin in History1. "That Nauseous Venomous Insect": Bed Bugs in Early Modern Britain2. Bed Bugs Creeping Through Modern Times3. Praying Lice: Creeping into Religion, Science and Sexuality4. Lousy Societies: Infesting the Lower Classes and Foreigners5. THe Perils of Lice in the Modern World6. The Flea in Humanity's Ear7. Modern Fleas: Literal and Linguistic Weapons8. Attacking Rodents: Rats in Early Modern Times9. The Two Cultures of Rats: 1800-2020Conclusion: The Power of Vermin
£23.85
Chronicle Books Kitten Cuddles Notecards
Book SynopsisFold your message into the paws of a cuddly kitten! With folded hugging arms and scored waists so the kitties can take a seat and be displayed, these 12 die-cut kitten cards are ready for sending paw-sitive thoughts and good mews.• Adorable notecard series• Universal theme of cuddles and hugs• Appropriate for any occasion that requires a big hug, be they happy or sadFans of Bear Hug Notedcards and The Snuggle is Real Norecards will love this set of cards. This book is perfect for:• Stationery lovers• Cat fans and cat ladies• Anyone looking for a romantic or affectionate card
£13.43
Sterling Publishing Co Inc The Earth Book
Book Synopsis
£21.25
Union Square & Co. First on the Moon
Book SynopsisA lavishly illustrated look at the groundbreaking Apollo 11 mission, in honour of the 50th anniversary, featuring stunning and previously unpublished images that tell the incredible story of the first men on the moon.
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Butterflies of Britain and Europe
Book SynopsisAn authoritative photographic guide to the butterflies of Europe.Packed with beautiful photography and thoroughly updated throughout, this is the definitive guide to all 472 species of European butterflies with additional information on another 64 species found in North Africa and south and west Turkey.Detailed text and clear photographs including views of both the upperwing and underwing where possible allow identification of adult butterflies in the field. There is also useful information on their relative size, similar species, habitat, lifestyle and larval host plants, accompanied by accurate range maps which have been updated for this new edition.The result of collaboration between many European butterfly experts and photographers, and compiled by a Finnish team, this thoroughly updated second edition of this comprehensive guide represents the last word in butterfly identification.Table of ContentsForeword by Ikka Hanski Preface Acknowledgements European butterflies Butterfly species - Hesperiidae - Papilionidae - Pieridae - Lycaenidae I - Lycaenidae II - Nymphalidae I - Nymphalidae II - Nymphalidae III Butterflies of European Islands, Eastern Europe and Adjacent Regions Butterflies on the Internet Literature Index of Common Names Index of Scientific Names
£17.09
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC RSPB Spotlight Seals
Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight Seals is packed with eye-catching, informative color photos and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.Spotlight Seals explores the intricate lives of the UK''s native Grey and Common Seals and their amazing physical and behavioral adaptations to a life split between land and sea. Seals are the sleekest and most agile of all marine mammals, and they are superbly adapted to the watery world in which they spend most of their time. With their whiskery dog-like faces, curious nature and vulnerable pups, they are enduringly appealing animals. Although air-breathing, these marine mammals are superbly tuned to hunt, sleep, mate and keep warm while out at sea, but they remain inextricably linked to land where they moult and have their pups.Frances Dipper also delves into the complex physiology that allows seals to dive deep and for long periods without coming to any harm. Once ruthlessly exploited for their Table of ContentsMeet the Seals Seals Around the World Life on Land Life on Sea The Daily Routine Watching Seals Threats and Protection Seals in Our Lives Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index
£11.69
Scribner Book Company Being a Dog Following the Dog Into a World of
Book Synopsis
£11.72
Adams Media Corporation 100 Things to See in the Night Sky: From Planets
Book SynopsisA handy field guide for the best stargazing experience whether in your own back yard, camping, or travelling—including information showing you which planets, constellations, stars, and manmade objects you can see with a telescope, or just your naked eye!The night sky is full of amazing things to see—from shooting stars and constellations to planets and satellites—but it can be hard to tell what you’re seeing, or where to look for the best view. 100 Things to See in the Night Sky gives you a clear picture of what you can see on any given night, either using a small telescope, or just your naked eye. Each object is presented as a separate entry, with background information on the makeup, appearance, and history of the object, along with easy-to-follow instructions on how to find it. For astronomy and space fans of all ages, this guide helps you explore the galaxy and see the stars—while keeping your feet on the ground.Trade Review"For anyone who enjoys looking up, but feels lost in the sea of stars, planets and other objects overhead, a new book called 100 Things to See in the Night Sky breaks down everything you need to know to stargaze like a pro. This book is perfect for prospective stargazers or amateur astronomers of all ages — no prior skills or telescopes necessary!" * Space.com *"100 Things to See in the Night Sky by Dean Regas is an easy-to-understand book that will serve as a great first guide to the heavens. With Christmas fast approaching, 100 Things to See in the Night Sky would make a nice gift for children 10 and up or any budding astronomer on your list." * Astronomy.com *"Anyone starting out in stargzazing would benefit from [this] knowledgeable and friendly guide. An ideal naked-eye guide." * BBC Sky at Night Magazine *"You will impress your … friends on your next camping trip with your stargazing knowledge! In an easy to follow format, this book focuses on the night sky in the mid-northern latitudes. Right now, the winter night sky boasts some of the brightest stars and constellations, so bundle up, grab your book, and head outside on a clear night to view Orion, Taurus, Canis Major and Minor, Gemini, and more!" * Trailblazer Girl *"The book covers the planets of the solar system, stars and constellations, meteor showers, the Milky Way, and orbiting spacecraft such as the International Space Station … .Easily accessible to even novices, providing nice starting points for getting acquainted with the night sky." * StarDate Magazine *"A fantastic book for beginning astronomers." * Ira Flatow, Science Friday *
£13.00
Basic Books Never Home Alone: From Microbes to Millipedes,
Book SynopsisIt's the dream scenario for many of us after a long week: having the house completely to ourselves. No partners, no parents, no kids, no pets. But as we settle into the couch, something stirs: maybe a mouse darts out from under a cupboard, or a fly buzzes lazily past the window. We're not actually alone at all. Until quite recently, no one had taken the life that lives with us very seriously: until Rob Dunn and his team decided to take a closer look. Upon investigating the terra incognita of our homes, they discovered that there are nearly 200,000 species living in our bedrooms, kitchens, living areas, bathrooms, and basements. Some of these species can kill us. Some benefit us. And some seem simply benign. But almost all of them were completely unknown--and they've been living alongside us the whole time.In Never Home Alone, biologist Rob Dunn takes us to the edge of biology's latest frontier: our own homes. Every house is a wilderness--from the Egyptian meal moths in our cupboards, to the camel crickets living in the basement, to the antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus waiting on the kitchen counter, thousands of species of insects, bacteria, fungi, and plants live literally under our noses. As we have become increasingly obsessed with cleaning and sterilizing our homes and separating our living spaces from nature, we have unwittingly cultivated an entirely new playground for evolution. Unfortunately, this means that we have created a range of new parasites, from antibiotic-resistant microbes to nearly impossible to kill cockroaches, to threaten ourselves with. At the same time, many of the more helpful organisms--such as microbes that can protect us from autoimmune diseases or promote healthy digestion, or the centipedes that can hunt down those pesky roaches--are caught in the crosshairs. If we're not careful, the "healthier" we try to make our homes, the more likely we'll be putting our own health at risk.A rich natural history and a thrilling scientific investigation, Rob Dunn's Never Home Alone shows us that if are to truly thrive in our homes, we must learn to welcome the unknown guests that have been there the whole time.
£20.69
Workman Publishing Easy-Gaited Horses: Gentle, humane methods for
Book SynopsisEnjoy a comfortable long-distance ride on a well-trained gaited horse and you’ll be surprised at how easygoing these handsome animals can be. But unique challenges can arise when horse owners more familiar with the standard walk, trot, and canter try to train these complex and multigeared horses to gait correctly. Author Lee Ziegler guides riders through the finer points of developing and maintaining these extra gaits, using humane training methods that stress patience and good horsemanship.
£15.29
