Our understanding of the basic biology of owls is poor compared to that of other bird species. The Little Owl, Athene noctua, has become one of the best models for biological and conservation research, due to its commonness and the fact that it occupies nest-boxes very easily. In this unique book the authors synthesise the substantial literature, and detail current information regarding the Little Owl. They discuss its wide-ranging ecology, genetics and subspecies and population status by country. In addition, they outline a strategy and monitoring program for its conservation. The book features an outstanding bibliography of literature on the Little Owl, listing publications dated from 1769 to 2007, in many languages, including Russian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Dutch. Whilst being an invaluable resource for academic researchers, its straightforward style holds undoubted appeal for amateurs and enthusiasts.

The basic biology of owls is poorly understood compared to that of other bird species. The Little Owl, Athene noctua, is one of the best models for biological and conservation research. Though widespread across Europe, Asia and North Africa, populations of the Little Owl are now in decline, making studies of its behavior and ecology all the more important. This extensively revised and updated second edition features substantial new long-term data on population dynamics, behavioral observations and breeding biology of the Little Owl. The authors discuss its wide-ranging ecology, genetics, subspecies, and population status by country. In addition, they outline a research strategy and monitoring program. Exceptional illustrations of all fourteen subspecies cover embryonic and chick development, feather growth and moult, including high-quality drawings presenting concrete management suggestions. Whilst being an invaluable resource for academic researchers, its accessible and straightforward style will also appeal to amateur ornithologists and enthusiasts.

Our understanding of the basic biology of owls is poor compared to that of other bird species. The Little Owl, Athene noctua, has become one of the best models for biological and conservation research, due to its commonness and the fact that it occupies nest-boxes very easily. In this unique book the authors synthesise the substantial literature, and detail current information regarding the Little Owl. They discuss its wide-ranging ecology, genetics and subspecies and population status by country. In addition, they outline a strategy and monitoring program for its conservation. The book features an outstanding bibliography of literature on the Little Owl, listing publications dated from 1769 to 2007, in many languages, including Russian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Dutch. Whilst being an invaluable resource for academic researchers, its straightforward style holds undoubted appeal for amateurs and enthusiasts.

Managing life's Sweet Sorrow is a small collection of works by Maggie Rose. It is dedicated to the growing number of men and women who find themselves in the role of primary caregiver to an aging and/or ailing parent or spouse. Her letters and poems touch at the heart of the challenging role of being a caregiver and the many tough questions we have to ask ourselves as we work our way through the daily changes in responsibilities we face as our loved ones age. Maggie Rose's column, "Ask Maggie Rose," appears in the Belmont Citizen-Herald. The Council on Aging in Belmont, Massachusetts endorses this column. Maggie Rose lives in Belmont with her husband and dad. You can reach her at [email protected] or send your mail to Ask Maggie Rose, 266 Beech Street, Belmont, MA 02478.

Although this country has a stake in educating its citizens well, for much of our history, we have not known in any scientific way what helps and what hinders the academic success of girls and minority group members. This book gives voice to four psychologists (Schofield, Slaughter-Defoe, Eccles, and Betz) who use scientific inquiry to understand what helps and what hinders the academic and life performance of minority students and girls. These are scientists who approach their subject matter with technical skill and personal passion to ask such questions as: What has desegregation accomplished? Can beneficial parent-child interactions be facilitated so as to improve school-related performance? Why are we seeing such low levels of achievement for girls and minorities in math and science? What stops women and minorities from choosing and completing majors in science and engineering? Each chapter represents an effort to communicate a vital area of scientific investigation to those in political life who could use that knowledge to formulate effective public policy. Near the end of each chapter are the questions that each of the authors was asked following the original briefing. These interchanges will show how policy makers begin to think about the use of scientific information in a political context.