John James Audubon (1785-1851) was for half a century America's dominant wildlife artist. His seminal Birds of America, a collection of 435 life-size prints, is still a standard work, and the name Audubon remains synonymous with birds and bird conservation the world over. Born in Haiti, the illegitimate son of a French sea-captain, he was raised in France and sailed to America at the age of 18 where he went into business and began his study of birds. In 1819 he was briefly jailed for bankruptcy; with no other prospects, he set off on his epic quest to depict America's avifauna, with nothing but his gun, artist's materials, and a young assistant. Floating down the Mississippi, he lived a rugged hand-to-mouth existence while his devoted wife, Lucy, earned money as a tutor to wealthy plantation families. In 1826 he sailed with his partly finished collection to England. Lionized as the 'American woodsman', he hit just the right Romantic note for the era, and was an overnight success, finding printers for his book first in Edinburgh, then London. It was a classic American tale of triumph over adversity. Here are vivid 'bird biographies', his correspondence with Lucy, journal accounts of his dramatic river journeys and hunting trips with the Osage Indians, and a generous sampling of brief stories that have long been out of print, 'The Burning of the Forests' and 'Kentucky Barbecue on the Fourth of July' among them. The Audubon Reader is an unforgettable encounter with early America: with its wildlife and birds, with its people and its primordial wilderness.

The author of Feathers and Eggshells is a teenager with a passion for wild birds. Here Natalie Lawrence takes us on an extended tour of her favourite bird watching area - Hampstead Heath in London - a suburban haven for wildlife, comprising different habitats for birds. From the mating dance of the Great Crested Grebe, to the delicacy of the Treecreeper's beak, she reveals the beauty and diversity of the local bird life, using drawings and photographs, prose and poetry.Feathers and Eggshells will appeal to all who can relate to a childhood passion and especially those who love birds in a natural setting.

Contains a wealth of easy-to-understand, practical information on canary selection, feeding, housing, health, breeding, and more, The Practical Canary Handbook is an invaluable guide to breeding and keeping canaries.

Urban spaces in nineteenth-century Ireland is a wide-ranging and innovative collection of essays, which offers new insights on the Irish urban experience. Adopting a spatial approach, the essays presented in this collection move beyond study of events that happened and people who lived in the towns and cities of nineteenth-century Ireland, instead exploring the ways in which particular urban spaces were constructed and experienced. Focusing on a range of urban spaces, from individual streets and districts, to schools, asylums and entire cities, they highlight both the multifaceted nature of the Irish urban experience and the potential of the spatial approach to the study of history.

Rebirding takes the long view of Britain's wildlife decline, from the early taming of our landscape and its long-lost elephants and rhinos, to fenland drainage, the removal of cornerstone species such as wild cattle, horses, beavers and boar - and forward in time to the intensification of our modern landscapes and the collapse of invertebrate populations. It looks at key reasons why species are vanishing, as our landscapes become ever more tamed and less diverse, with wildlife trapped in tiny pockets of habitat. It explores how Britain has, uniquely, relied on modifying farmland, rather than restoring ecosystems, in a failing attempt to halt wildlife decline. The irony is that 94% of Britain is not built upon at all. And with more nature-loving voices than any European country, we should in fact have the best, not the most impoverished, wildlife on our continent. Especially when the rural economics of our game estates, and upland farms, are among the worst in Europe. Britain is blessed with all the space it needs for an epic wildlife recovery. The deer estates of the Scottish Highlands are twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. Snowdonia is larger than the Maasai Mara. The problem in Britain is not a lack of space. It is that our precious space is uniquely wasted - not only for wildlife, but for people's jobs and rural futures too. Rebirding maps out how we might finally turn things around: rewilding our national parks, restoring natural ecosystems and allowing our wildlife a far richer future. In doing so, an entirely new sector of rural jobs would be created; finally bringing Britain's dying rural landscapes and failing economies back to life.

Eric Dempsey and Michael O'Clery's award-winning The Complete Guide to Ireland's Birds has been continuously in print for almost twenty years. Since the publication of the second edition, many new species have been recorded in Ireland while others have now been afforded full species status.

The Complete Field Guide to Ireland's Birds reflects these most recent changes to Ireland's birdlife. It contains a large number of new plates, maps and an updated text, together with other new features. It fully describes and illustrates almost 370 species, detailing key identification features, voice and diet, habitat and status in Ireland, and the latest distribution maps for each. In addition, over 100 of Ireland's rarest species are also described. Presented in a new, smaller format, it can be easily fitted into a pocket or a rucksack and is ideal for use in the field.

Everything you need to transform your garden into a haven for birds. Packed full of expert birding advice and practical ideas, this compact, easy-to-use bird-watching book will help you create an environment that will invite a rich diversity of birdlife to your garden. It's time to get out into your garden and get bird spotting with this indispensable field guide. Here's what you'll discover: - Profiles of 40 of the most common British garden birds - In-situ photography shows birds as you will see them in your garden or local park, for more accurate identification - Explains the benefits of different bird foods, and gives practical advice on types of feeders and how to site them - Each season is outlined with the major bird activities and feeding requirements - Produced in association with the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch Birdwatching can be done in the comfort of your own garden thanks to this revised and updated bird guide. It contains expert advice on how to provide water, food, and nesting sites to create a bird-friendly environment. It also reveals essential tips on observing birds, including the basic equipment needed. Find profiles of 40 of the most common British garden birds, each illustrated with in-situ photography, you'll be identifying all kinds of bird species in no time. Practical projects include making and siting a nest box, and how to design a bird-friendly garden, including choosing plants to attract particular species. With information about seasonal changes in bird behaviour and a helpful size-comparison gallery for the species profiled in the book Look out for more RSPB books from DK. Discover the simplest, clearest guide to identifying common European birds ever in RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe or learn how to easily spot the difference between similar birds in RSPB What's the Bird?

Birders in Central America have long known that Nicaragua is one of the best birding locations in the world, and with tourism to the country on the upswing, birders from the rest of the world are now coming to the same conclusion. The largest country in Central America, Nicaragua is home to 763 resident and passage birds, by latest count. Because of its unique topography-the country is relatively flat compared to its mountainous neighbors to the north and south-it forms a geographical barrier of sorts, which means that many birds that originate in North America reach their southernmost point in Nicaragua, while many birds from South America reach their northernmost point in the country. There are few places in the world where you can find both a Roadrunner and a Scarlet Macaw. Birds of Nicaragua features descriptions and illustrations of all 763 species currently identified in the country, along with information about 44 additional species that are likely to appear in the coming years. Range maps, based on years of field research, are color-coded. Other features include a richly illustrated anatomical features section, a checklist, a visual guide to vultures and raptors in flight, and a quick-find index.

In Birds and Us, award-winning writer and ornithologist Tim Birkhead takes us on an epic and dazzling journey through this mutual history with birds, from the ibises mummified and deified by Ancient Egyptians to Renaissance experiments on woodpecker anatomy, from Victorian obsessions with egg collecting to the present fight to save endangered species and restore their habitats. Weaving in stories from his own life as a scientist, including far-flung expeditions to wondrous Neolithic caves in Spain and the bustling guillemot colonies of the Faroe Islands, this rich and fascinating book is the culmination of a lifetime's research and unforgettably shows how birds shaped us, and how we have shaped them. 'Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. Birkhead tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' Tim Dee 'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding 'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' Stephen Moss

Full of fun and interesting facts. Includes 83 species of birds 2 pages devoted to each species common and scientific names full-color illustrations w/key identifiers natural history size and voice photo of egg w/nesting info, egg size & incubation period illustrations of similar species maps & graphs checklist

With Paul A. Johnsgard, we follow the migration of the sandhill cranes from the American Southwest to their Alaskan breeding grounds and back again, an annual pattern that has persisted over millions of years. By selecting four historic time frames of the migration between 1860 and 1980, Johnsgard illustrates how humans have influenced the flocks and how different American cultures have variously responded to the birds and perceived their value. Each section focuses on the interactions between children of four different American cultures and sandhill cranes, triggered by events occurring during the annual life cycle of the cranes. The story is enriched by the author's exquisite illustrations, by Zuni prayers, and by Inuit and Pueblo legends. With a new preface and afterword and a new gallery of photographs by the author, Those of the Gray Wind is a classic story of a timeless ritual that can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Birds of Peru is the most complete and authoritative field guide to this diverse, neotropical landscape. It features every one of Peru's 1,817 bird species and shows the distinct plumages of each in 307 superb, high-quality color plates. Concise descriptions and color distribution maps are located opposite the plates, making this book much easier to use in the field than standard neotropical field guides. This fully revised paperback edition includes twenty-five additional species. * A comprehensive guide to all 1,817 species found in Peru--one fifth of the world's birds--with subspecies, sexes, age classes, and morphs fully illustrated * Designed especially for field use, with vivid descriptive information and helpful identification tips opposite color plates * Detailed species accounts, including a full-color distribution map * Includes 25 additional species not covered in the first edition * Features 3 entirely new plates and more than 25 additional illustrations

The Birds of Indiana is a treasure-trove for ornithologists, casual birders, and art-lovers everywhere. Drawing on decades of field work and data collection and featuring the paintings of one of America's finest bird artists, this classic work is an introduction, a reference, and most importantly, a natural history of Indiana's birds, including over 390 species. Authors Russell E. Mumford and Charles E. Keller provide detailed information on each species, including the bird's past and current status, the timing of migrations, the density and location of populations month by month, and the influence of habitat. Indispensable for the text alone, the paintings by William Zimmerman, one of America's greatest bird artists, make the book a collector's item that will be admired and appreciated for centuries. With a scientist's eye and a craftsman's skill, Zimmerman brings each of the 165 birds that nests in the state to life in lavish detail. Readers can almost feel the feathers-and the life force beneath them-in his birds. Each intricate painting reveals the plumage (including both male and female when there are significant differences), the nest and eggs, background habitat, and in many cases a wildflower or two. A work of art as well as science, The Birds of Indiana belongs in any and every collection of bird books. No ornithologist or casual birder-expert or beginner-in Indiana, the Midwest, or the eastern United States can afford to be without it.

Winner of The Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Award for Non-Fiction in 2011 and the Authors' Foundation Roger Deakin Award in 2011 A stunning debut in the tradition of Robert Macfarlane and Helen Macdonald Of all the birds of the British Isles, the raptor reigns supreme, sparking the imagination like no other. In this magnificent hymn to these beautiful animals, James Macdonald Lockhart explores all fifteen breeding birds of prey on these shores - from the hen harrier swimming over the land in the dregs of a May gale on Orkney, to the ghostly sparrowhawk displaying in the fields around his home in Warwickshire. This is a book that will change how we think of our own skies.

Find Your Recipe for Bird Watching SuccessA few minutes in the kitchen can become hours of bird watching fun. Take birding to another level by creating unique dishes especially for backyard birds. This creative cookbook turns bird food into a banana split, cupcake, pie, and even tree ornaments. Each dish is perfect to tackle alone or with the whole family. Inside You'll Find 26 recipes to attract the birds you want to see Ingredients that appeal to 70+ bird species, including "hard-to-get" birds Tips on selecting the right ingredients for the right birds A handy chart that shows which birds dine on each dish BONUS: Tips for cooking with kids, wildlife research projects, and a bird-identification section See more birds and make birding even more interactive. Invite everybirdy to your yard with a banquet of nutritious, homemade foods.

Have Fun with These Wild and Wonderful Bird Words! A murder of crows, a charm of goldfinches, a huddle of penguins-groupings of birds are more than just a "flock." Collective nouns for specific types of birds range from fascinating to funny, and this adorable book is your guide to the best of them. Discover the surprising number of different terms, and learn their true meanings-as well as the history behind them. Did C.S. Lewis really coin the phrase, "a parliament of owls"? Find out in this colorfully designed conversation-starter. The spectacular full-color photography that accompanies each entertaining tidbit further enhances the collectability of An Asylum of Loons. You're sure to impress your friends and family with all the knowledge in this book!

'Rousing, polemical and heartfelt' - Gardens Illustrated 'An invitation to take action' - The Observer One thing has become clear this year - we need nature more than ever. And it needs us too. From our balconies and gardens to our woodlands, national parks and beyond, Back to Nature captures the essence of how we feel about the wildlife outside our windows. Through personal stories, conservation breakthroughs and scientific discoveries, it explores the wonder and the solace of nature, and the ways in which we can connect with it - and protect it.

Given its location as a natural route between Africa and Europe combined with its diverse habitats, Spain is home to over 450 bird species including 285 that breed here. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map featuring prominent bird-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information for anyone interested in birds, and is ideal for field use by residents and visitors alike. Made in the USA.www.waterfordpress.com

Better Birding reveals the techniques expert birders use to identify a wide array of bird species in the field--quickly and easily. Featuring hundreds of stunning photos and composite plates throughout, this book simplifies identification by organizing the birds you see into groupings and offering strategies specifically tailored to each group. Skill building focuses not just on traditional elements such as plumage, but also on creating a context around each bird, including habitat, behavior, and taxonomy--parts so integral to every bird's identity but often glossed over by typical field guides. Critical background information is provided for each group, enabling you to approach bird identification with a wide-angle view, using your eyes, brain, and binoculars more strategically, resulting in a more organized approach to learning birds. Better Birding puts the thrill of expert bird identification within your reach. * Reveals the techniques used by expert birders for quick and easy identification* Simplifies identification with strategies tailored to different groupings of birds* Features hundreds of photos and composite plates that illustrate the different techniques* Fosters a wide-angle approach to field birding* Provides a foundation for building stronger birding skills

One December, in midsummer South Africa, Tim Dee was watching swallows. They were at home there, but the same birds would soon begin journeying north to Europe, where their arrival marks the beginning of spring.

Greenery recounts how Tim Dee tries to follow the season and its migratory birds, making remarkable journeys in the Sahara, the Straits of Gibraltar, Sicily, Britain, and finally by the shores of the Arctic Ocean in northern Scandinavia. On each adventure, he is in step with the very best days of the year - the time of song and nests and eggs, of buds and blossoms and leafing.

Now fully revised, this easy-to-use identification guide to the 280 bird species most commonly seen in the Philippines is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from some of the Philippines' top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions which include nomenclature, length, plumage, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography, climate, habitat types, biogeography, the main sites for viewing the listed species and tips for identifying birds in the field. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of the Philippines encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific names as well as vernacular names, and its global status.

'Magnificent' Robert Macfarlane Winner of the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Our lives depend on shipping but it is a world which is largely hidden from us. In every lonely corner of every sea, through every night, every day, and every imaginable weather, tiny crews of seafarers work the giant ships which keep landed life afloat. These ordinary men live extraordinary lives, subject to dangers and difficulties we can only imagine, from hurricanes and pirates to years of confinement in hazardous, if not hellish, environments. Horatio Clare joins two container ships on their epic voyages across the globe and experiences unforgettable journeys. As the ships cross seas of history and incident, seafarers unfold the stories of their lives, and a beautiful and terrifying portrait of the oceans and their human subjects emerges. 'Tremendous' The Times