The understanding of nature was Ralph Simpson's consuming passion, which he pursued with unmatched vigor and high spirits. In Grass Flats, 1890--1923, Simpson meticulously documents 218 species accounts of bird life in Warren County, Pennsylvania, including notes on other species observed at Presque Isle on Lake Erie. Simpson speaks of habitat preferences and population shifts, while at the same time offering a view of the natural world with a bit of whimsy, as in the following 1909 observations of the Screech Owl. I knew of an old Flicker's hole nearby, and on going past I saw feathers about the edges, so I investigated and found a Gray Screecher at home. She made no resistance, so I reached in and counted five eggs under her, petted her, and left her. Join this noted naturalist, as he seeks adventure birding in the virgin timber of Wild Cat Run, navigating a steep precipice in the wilds of Goshawk Basin, or climbing 70 feet up a giant Eastern Hemlock to peer into a Sharp-shinned Hawk's nest. From his exploits, Simpson learned early on that, with nature, every moment instructs. Simpson, with feet on terra firma, beckons you to his stomping ground--Grass Flats.

Originally published in 1851. First editions are now extremely rare and very expensive. One of the first books to deal in comprehensive detail with the management, history, natural history and types of domestic and wild pigeons. The illustrated contents include chapters on: Earliest History - Domestication - Legends and Superstitions - Breeding and Management - Classifications - Breeds - Carriage, Flight and Colouring - Natural History - etc. This fascinating book will appeal greatly to all pigeon enthusiasts and contains much advice and information which is still of practical use today.

Lakeland Book of the Year 2018, Bookends Prize for Art and Literature, WINNER. With its enchanting song, striking orange bill and endearing willingness to share our living space, the blackbird is one of our best-loved birds. And, in common with all our garden wildlife, it plays a critical role in Britain's fragile and precious biodiversity. In The Blackbird Diaries, Karen Lloyd shares her deep-rooted knowledge and affection for the flora and fauna of these isles. And she issues a clarion call for the conservation of endangered habitats and species - most notably the curlew, Europe's largest wading bird. Over the four seasons, Karen intimately chronicles the drama of the natural world as it all unfolds in her garden and in the limestone hills and valleys of Cumbria's South Lakeland. What emerges is a celebration of landscapes that rarely feature in nature writing. But more than that, at a time of critical species loss, she offers rare insights into the lives of animals that may be common but are no less remarkable.

Cape Peninsula Birdlife breaks new ground: it provides residents of, and visitors to, the Cape Peninsula with information where particular birds may be found, and why and how they occur where they do. Superbly illustrated with photographs by some of South Africa’s premier photographers, readers will gain an appreciation of the extraordinarily rich natural history of the Cape Peninsula. More than 80 bird species; over 200 colour photographs; 18 bird routes; night birds; easy cross referencing; fits in pocket/rucksack.

'A murder of crows', 'a charm of goldfinches', 'an ostentation of peacocks': collective nouns for British birds have existed since at least the mid fifteenth century. They are thought to originate in texts about hunting, but have since evolved into evocative, witty and literary expressions, each striving to capture the very essence of the animal they describe. Some are portentous - 'a conspiracy of ravens' perfectly evokes this sinister bird - others convey sound, such as 'a murmuration of starlings' or 'a chattering of choughs'. Yet more reflect with a flourish the beauty of the bird itself: what could be more celebratory than 'a crown of kingfishers', or 'an exaltation of larks'? The best of these imaginative expressions are collected here, illustrated with charming woodcuts by Thomas Bewick, the renowned naturalist engraver of the eighteenth century. Featuring songbirds, aquatic birds, birds of prey and garden favourites, this beautifully presented book will delight both bird-lovers and word-lovers in equal measure.

Get the perfect coffee-table book for birders and nature lovers, pairing naturalist knowledge with beautiful watercolor paintings. This is the bird book for people who love birds! Naturalist, watercolorist, and debut author Jenny deFouw Geuder combines her vast knowledge of birds, wildflowers, and nature with her artistic expertise to create a book like no other. Drawn to Birds presents more than 120 beautiful watercolor paintings, along with Jenny's fascinating insights that add unique appeal to each page. Drawn to Birds begins with an introduction to bird anatomy, as well as details about nests, eggs, and migration. From there, more than 50 different bird species are showcased, with the watercolors divided into groups like backyard birds, raptors, and wetland birds. As an added bonus, there's a section dedicated to insects and wildflowers. You'll appreciate Jenny's tips on how to welcome birds to your yard and how to become a naturalist. Being a naturalist is about more than simply stopping to smell the flowers. It's about observation and making a record. Pause and notice the shapes, colors, and patterns around you. Jenny's goal is to inspire you to try your own hand at being a naturalist! She also includes step-by-step guides for drawing, painting, and inking your own pictures. Anyone can be an artist. Be brave, try it out, and keep noticing the marvels around you. Extra pages for journaling and sketching make this book a keepsake to cherish forever. If you enjoy birding, gardening, or the great outdoors, Drawn to Birds belongs in your book collection. Get one for yourself, and give one as a gift!

Part detective trail, part love affair and pure story telling at its best.

In 1990 an expedition of Cambridge scientists arrived at the Plains of Nechisar, tucked between the hills of the Great Rift Valley in the Gamo Gofa province in the country of Ethiopia. On that expedition, 315 species of birds were seen; 61 species of mammal and 69 species of butterfly were identified; 20 species of dragonflies and damselflies; 17 reptile species were recorded; three frog species were filed; plants were listed. And the wing of a road-killed bird was packed into a brown paper bag.

It was to become the most famous wing in the world.

When the specimens finally arrived at the British Natural History Museum in Tring it set the world of science aflutter. It seemed that the wing was unique, but they questioned, can you name a species for the first time based only on the description of a wing, based on just one wing?

After much to and fro, confirmation was unanimous, and the new species was announced, Nechisar Nightjar, Caprimulgus solala, (solus:only and ala:wing). And birdwatchers like Vernon began to dream.

Twenty-two years later an expedition of four led by Ian Sinclair set off to try to find this rarest bird in the world.

Vernon R.L. Head captivates and enchants as he tells of the adventures of Ian, Dennis, Gerry and himself as they navigate the wilderness of the plains, searching by spotlight for the elusive Nechisar Nightjar.

From prairies to peak tops, Colorado attracts an intriguing mix of birds, from Mountain Plovers and Rosy-Finches to Lazuli Buntings and Black Swifts. Birders from all over the country visit the state to see the vast variety of western and prairie specialties. "Birding Colorado" guides you to the best birding sites at treeless prairies in Pawnee National Grassland; canyons, mesas, and mountains in four national parks and three national monuments; marshes, ponds, and streams in five national wildlife refuges; and mountain, mesa, and prairie highways and byways. Organized by region, this guide lists the likely birds at each site and the status and distribution of all species recorded in the state. For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuides(R) have set the standard for outdoor guidebooks. Written by top experts, each guide invites you to experience the adventure and beauty of the outdoors. Inside you'll find: - Where and when to go, how to get there, and likely birds - A description of each site, with information about key species - Where to find migrating eastern species, water birds, and such specialties as
Pygmy Nuthatch, Greater Roadrunner, and American Three-Toed Woodpecker - Details on the seasonal distributions of 482 bird species--where they occur,
their abundances there, and the best times to see them

North Carolina has one of the richest arrays of birdlife in North America-460 species, including two of the rarest species in the Southeast: the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Wood Stork.
Birding North Carolina guides you to forty-four of the best birding locations across the state. Organized by region, this useful and comprehensive guide includes everything you need for a rewarding bird-watching experience.
Look inside to find:
Accurate bird-finding information for the entire state-from the Mountains to the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain
Where to find migrating raptors, a huge assortment of shorebirds and nesting waterbirds, plus many Southern specialties such as Swainson's Warbler, the
reclusive Black Rail, and the fire-dependent Bachman's Sparrow
Descriptions of each site, with information about key species
Where and when to go, how to get there, and what you'll see
Details on the seasonal distributions of 122 North Carolina bird specialties-
where they occur, their abundances there, and the best times to see them

The wood duck is our most beautiful of all waterfowl, and for fifty years F. Eugene Hester observed and recorded their exciting lives. He and his companions erected wood duck nest boxes and observed nesting activities. By banding the ducks and applying web tags to ducklings, they gained interesting and unexpected insight into the lives of these ducks. Excellent photography enhance the observations.

Birds are intelligent, sociable creatures that exhibit a wide array of behaviours - from mobbing and mimicking to mating and joint nesting. Why do they behave as they do? Bringing to light the remarkable actions of birds through examples from species around the world, How To Read a Bird presents engaging vignettes about the private lives of birds, all explained in an evolutionary context. Richly illustrated, this book explores the increasing focus on how individual birds differ in personality and how big data and citizen scientists are helping to add to what we know about them.

In this text, ornithologist John Terres explains the process by which eagles, hawks, hummingbirds, and other birds fly, soar and hover.

Even the most delightful ducks can have a bad day . . . What's the matter with Dick the Duck? He's usually so kind and friendly! But today Dick got out on The Wrong Side of Bed. He feels humpy and grumpy, cranky and cross. Can anyone help cheer him up? Luckily Dick's friends rally round and shower him with kindness, and Dick is soon back to his usual delightful self! This magnificently funny rhyming story shows that even the most delightful ducks can have a bad day. (And that's totally okay!) Children will adore this hilarious rhyming story by the much-loved author of the PONGWIFFY books Kaye Umansky is one of the funniest children's writers around. This brilliant rhyming story is a joy to read aloud, and has echoes of Dr Seuss Ben Mantle's superb colourful illustrations bring every character to life. Each page is packed with fabulous, funny details Full of warmth and humour, Dick the Delightful Duck shows even the youngest children that it's okay not to be okay, and how they can be a good friend

Originally published in 1920 when collecting bird's egss was a legal and accepted pastime for young and old. The author was a true countryman and sporting gentleman with a great knowledge and much experience of British birds and their ways.Contents Include: Where and when to look equipment climbing egg collections records the birds, their nests and eggs, and their breeding habits observation haunts nesting calendar many illustrations of of eggs and nests etc. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.Keywords: British Birds Eggs Farm Books Countryman 1900s Pastime Gentleman Illustrations Observation Egg Artwork Collections

Canary breeding is a hugely popular hobby, and one that surpasses most hobbies, in that the amateur can very quickly, with knowledge and experience, excel as a breeder and exhibitor of the different varieties known to the canary fancy. This is a highly detailed and comprehensive guide to breeding and showing canaries, complete with a wealth of illustrations.Contents Include: Canary Keeping as a Hobby Aviaries, Cages and Fittings Breeding and General Management Moulting and Colour Feeding Diseases and Their Treatment Seeds and Their Uses Exhibiting The Belgian The Scots Fancy The Yorkshire The Lancashire The Dutch Frill The Crested Norwich The Norwich Plainhead The Lizard The Cinnamon The Border Fancy The London Fancy The Roller Fancy Lesser-Known Varieties Keywords: Canary Breeding Scots Fancy Norwich Moulting Aviaries Frill Canaries Exhibitor Comprehensive Guide Lancashire Lizard Cinnamon Yorkshire Illustrations Seeds Diseases