Reissue of J. A. Baker's extraordinary classic of British nature writing, with an exclusive new afterword by Robert Macfarlane. J. A. Baker's extraordinary classic of British nature writing was first published in 1967. Greeted with acclaim, it went on to win the Duff Cooper Prize, the pre-eminent literary prize of the time. Luminaries such as Ted Hughes, Barry Lopez and Andrew Motion have cited it as one of the most important books in twentieth-century nature writing. Despite the association of peregrines with the wild, outer reaches of the British Isles, The Peregrine is set on the flat marshes of the Essex coast, where J. A. Baker spent long winters looking and writing about the visitors from the uplands - peregrines that spend the winter hunting the huge flocks of pigeons and waders that share the desolate landscape with them. This new edition of the timeless classic, published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first publication, features an afterword by one of the book's greatest admirers, Robert Macfarlane.

Contents Include: Ash, Common - Ash, Mountain - Beech - Blackberry - Blackthorn - Bluebottle - Bramble - Broom - Buckwheat - Burdock - Campions - Canary Seed - Charlock - Chickweed - Chickweed, Mouse Ear - Cleavers - Coltsfoot - Cornflower - Corn Spurrey - Cress - Dandelion - Dewberry - Dock, Broad-Leaved - Dock, Curled - Docken - Elder - Figwort - Flax - Gold of Pleasure - Goose grass - Grass, Annual Meadow - Grass, Canary - Grass, Rye - Groundsel - Hardheads - Hawkbit, Autumnal - Hawksbeard, Smooth - Hawkweed, Mouse-Ear - Haws- Hawthorn - Heather - Hemp - Hips - Holly - Honeysuckle - Inga -Ivy - Knapweed, Black - Knapweed, Greater - Knotgrass - Lettuce - Ling - Linseed - Mawseed - Meadowsweet - Millet - Mistletoe - Mountain Ash - Mouse-Ear - Mustard - Niger - Nipplewort - Persicaria - Plantain, Greater - Plantain, Ribwort - Poppy, Corn - Privet - Queen of the Meadows - Radish - Ragwort - Rape - Rat's Tail - Redshank - Ribwort - Rose - Rowan - Rye Grass - Sesame - Shepherd's Purse - Sloe - Snowberry - Snow thistle - Spurrey, Corn - Sunflower - Teazle, Wild - Thistle, Scotch - Thistle, Spear - Watercress - Way bread - Wintercress

It was most fortuitous that on his first visit to Charleston, John James Audubon would meet John Bachman, a Lutheran clergyman and naturalist. Their chance encounter in 1831 and immediate friendship profoundly affected the careers and social ties of these two men. In this elegantly written book, Jay Shuler offers the first in-depth portrayal of the Bachman-Audubon relationship and its significance in the creation of Audubon's works. In the numerous writings celebrating Audubon, Bachman has been largely ignored, writes Shuler, ""though Bachman made substantive contributions to Audubon's Ornithological Biographies, was his partner in The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, and gave pivotal advice and assistance to Audubon during the troubled last decade of his career."" Drawing on their voluminous correspondence, replete with accounts of their ornithological adventures and details of their personal and professional lives, Had I the Wings provides new insights into Audubon's life and work and rescues from obscurity John Bachman's contributions to American ornithology and mammalogy. Audubon's career can be divided into phases. From 1820 to 1831 he painted and published the first hundred prints of The Birds of America. The second phase began when he met John Bachman and they worked to complete The Birds of America and launch The Quadrupeds. Over the next decade Bachman's home became, in effect, Audubon's home in America. Early on the Bachman-Audubon friendship was enriched and complicated by an intricate social web. Both men were fond of Bachman's sister-in-law and competed for her attention. Audubon's sons, John and Victor, married Bachman's older daughters, Maria and Eliza. Through the fifteen years of their relationship the friends exchanged long letters when separated and jointly wrote to their colleagues when together. In the early 1840s they collaborated on the first volume of The Quadrupeds. Volumes two and three were published after Audubon's death in 1851. Filled with exciting birding adventures and hunting expeditions, Had I the Wings illuminates the fascinating relationship between two major nineteenth-century naturalists.

This highly visual new guide introduces readers to 100 of the most memorable trees in the bushveld – the northern and eastern regions of South Africa, encompassing both the lowveld and the highveld.

An introduction covers the basics of tree anatomy, supported by a pictorial glossary, and details the author’s streamlined ID method that enables even novices to make quick and sure identifi cations.

• Most trees are generously featured across double-page spreads;

• Full tree images along with diagnostic photos (bark, leaves, thorns, fl owers, pods, fruit, etc.) enable readers to distinguish even those trees that are most confusing, such as the ‘acacias’ or the bushwillows;

• Concise text highlights each tree’s key features;

• Interesting facts, multiple uses and particular value the trees have among local populations are given.

With its abundant, detailed photographs and straightforward text, this guide will help readers unlock the complicated world of trees.

Originally published in the early 1900s. The illustrated contents include: Description - Capture and Importation - Breeding Developments - Buying - Cages and Their Construction - Birdrooms and Aviaries - Foods and Feeding - Care - As a Talker and Pet - Breeding Difficulties - In-Breeding - Colour Varieties - Ailments and Treatment. Etc. Many of the earliest cage bird books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

POULTRY BOOK - A GUIDE FOR SMALL OR BIG POULTRY KEEPERS, BEGINNERS AND FARMERS By Harry Roberts. A READ COUNTRY BOOKS CLASSIC REPRINT. Originally published in the early 1930s, this extremely scarce early work on poultry keeping is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have republished it, using the original text and photographs. Two hundred and thirty three pages deal with every aspect of poultry keeping from egg to table, and will prove invaluable to both the backyard beginner and the larger commercial enterprise. Twenty detailed chapters contain much expert advise on: The Beginner. - Breeds and Strains. - Houses and Appliances. - Foods and Feeding. - Hatching. - Rearing. - Backyard Poultry Keeping. - Intensive Poultry Keeping. - Winter Egg Production. - Day Old Chicks. - Ducks. - Turkeys. - Geese. - Guinea Fowls. - Diseases of Poultry. - Vermin. - Egg Preserving. - Killing and Shaping. Plucking, Drawing, Trussing. - Marketing. - Accounts. Etc. The book is well illustrated with photos of breeds and equipment. This is a fascinating read for any poultry enthusiast, and contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the early farming books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

In this "deeply personal and lyrical book" (Publishers Weekly) from the New York Times bestselling author of The Horse, Wendy Williams explores the lives of one of the world's most resilient creatures-the butterfly-shedding light on the role that they play in our ecosystem and in our human lives. "[A] glorious and exuberant celebration of these biological flying machines...Williams takes us on a humorous and beautifully crafted journey" (The Washington Post). From butterfly gardens to zoo exhibits, these "flying flowers" are one of the few insects we've encouraged to infiltrate our lives. Yet, what has drawn us to these creatures in the first place? And what are their lives really like? In this "entertaining look at 'the world's favorite insect'" (Booklist, starred review), New York Times bestselling author and science journalist Wendy Williams reveals the inner lives of these delicate creatures, who are far more intelligent and tougher than we give them credit for. Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year from Canada to Mexico. Other species have learned how to fool ants into taking care of them. Butterflies' scales are inspiring researchers to create new life-saving medical technology. Williams takes readers to butterfly habitats across the globe and introduces us to not only various species, but "digs deeply into the lives of both butterflies and [the] scientists" (Science magazine) who have spent decades studying them. Coupled with years of research and knowledge gained from experts in the field, this accessible "butterfly biography" explores the ancient partnership between these special creatures and humans, and why they continue to fascinate us today. "Informative, thought-provoking," (BookPage, starred review) and extremely profound, The Language of Butterflies is a "fascinating book [that] will be of interest to anyone who has ever admired a butterfly, and anyone who cares about preserving these stunning creatures" (Library Journal).

All NEW from Kate Frost. Follow your heart and then your dreams...'A perfect escape to Italy, with sunshine, devastating secrets, tears, smiles and a hero you will fall in love with.' - Jennifer Bohnet 'A beautiful novel about life choices and moving on, set on the sundrenched island of Capri. Should be read by a pool with a glass of Prosecco in one hand' - T.A. Williams 'A lovely escapist tale full of heart, friendship and promise' - Annie Robertson Best friends since childhood, Fern Chambers and Stella Shaw have been through everything together and are at a crossroads in their lives. Carefree Stella has a monumental secret and down trodden Fern's happy life is not all it seems. With their 40th birthdays approaching, a luxury holiday to the island of Capri is a chance for them to reconnect, let their hair down and celebrate in style. But untold truths and frustration bubble beneath the surface, turning what should be a holiday of a lifetime into an opportunity to make life-changing decisions. Far from home, where anything feels possible, secrets are revealed, heartache is shared, love discovered and new friendships forged. Will their Italian dream turn into a nightmare or lead to newfound happiness?

Julia Rothman's series of Anatomy books (549,000 copies in print) are beloved by children and adults alike. In Wildlife Anatomy, Rothman captures the excitement and distinctive attributes of wild animals around the world. The book is packed with hundreds of her charming, original illustrations, detailing the unique features of animals of the rainforest, desert, grasslands, oceans, and much more. From lions, bears, and zebras to monkeys, mongoose, bats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and much more, Rothman's visual guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion's claw and a wild horse's hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther Not a Panther? and What Makes Aardvarks So Odd? Rothman's characteristic combination of curiosity and an artist's eye makes this wildlife treasury rich and full, and promises new discoveries every time it's opened.