HIS book is not intended as an exhaustive review T f facts. I ts aim is rather the presentation of a bio logical approach to the phenomena of social behaviour. This type of approach was revived by Lorenz's pioneer stnJies. It is characterized by emphasis on the need for renewed and careful observation of the huge variety of social phenomena occurring in nature; by emphasis on a balanced study of the three main biological problems (unction, causation, evolution; by emphasis on an appro priate sequence of description, qualitative analysis, quanti tative analysis; and finally by emphasis on the need for continuous re-synthesis. The character of this approach, combined with the limitations of space, have determined this book's contents. Limits of space led to the omission of a great deal of de scrip tion. Thus, Deegener's voluminous work on the multitude of types of animal aggregations has not been discussed. Also, the highly specialized 'states' of social insects have not been treated in detail, since there are excellent books dealing exclusively with them."

Behavioural ecologists and evolutionary biologists have long recognised Professor Tinbergen's great prescience in placing the study of animal behaviour firmly in an ecological and evolutionary context nearly fifty years ago. This is a reprint of the 1969 edition of The Study of Instinct (originally published in 1951). The first six chapters cover behaviour as a response to stimuli, the neurophysiological bases of innate behaviour as then understood, and the development of behavioural patterns in individuals. The final two chapters are devoted to the adaptativeness of behaviour and evolutionary aspects of behaviour. These last two chapters have particularly withstood the test of time. 'More than the other parts,' the author wrote in 1969, 'they show the potential of studying animals in their natural environment, i.e. in the environment that exerts the pressures which each animal species has to meet...I feel very strongly that an...intense effort ought to be made to understand the effects of behaviour; of the ways in which it influences the survival of the species; and that we should try much harder to understand the state of adaptedness and the process of evolutionary adaptation. ';

Together with Konrad Lorenz, Niko Tinbergen is generally acknowledged as the founder of the young science of ethology. Professor Tinbergen has spent a lifetime of research exploring the behavior of many types of animals in their natural environments, and has founded centers of worldwide renown for research and teaching in the behavioral sciences, first in his native Holland and later at Oxford. His influence extends far beyond the borders of Europe and of zoology proper, and he has contributed substantially to international and interdisciplinary collaboration

Tinbergen's work has been characterized by many as a "breath of fresh air" in fields that were in danger of using touch with nature and of becoming bogged down in theory. He has tirelessly worked for the use of scientific methods in the study if human behavior, both normal and abnormal. Without shying away from quantification and measurement, he has made his main contribution in what Sir Peter Medawar calls "creative observation" and in the design of meaningful experiments, even in the seemingly chaotic and continuously varying conditions if the natural habitat.

In following him in what Tinbergen likes to call his seemingly aimless wanderings, the reader will catch a unique glimpse into the workshop of ethology. Even when reporting on sophisticated experiments, or when developing new theoretical concepts and arguments, Tinergen writes simply, lucidly, and precisely. The present volume spans forty years of pioneer investigation and includes selections on the behavior of gulls; on the homing, landmark preference, and prey findings of the digger wasp; on the food hoarding of foxes; and on creatures living scattered as adefense against predators.

These classic original studies will fascinate the increasing number if readers interested in the topical problems if animals and human behavior.

Nikolaas Tinbergen has devoted a lifetime of research to exploring the behavior of many types of animals in their natural environments, and has founded centers of worldwide renown for research and teaching in the behavioral sciences, first in his native Holland and later at Oxford. His influence extends far beyond the borders of Europe and zoology proper, and he has contributed substantially to international and interdisciplinary collaboration. He has tirelessly worked for the use of scientific methods in the study of human behavior, both normal and abnormal. Volume I is devoted to field studies. Volume II includes accounts of Tinbergen's remarkable laboratory experiments as well as his significant general papers. These selections explore the search for animal roots of human behavior, behavior and natural selection, appeasement signals, and the nature of ethology. "Early Childhood Autism," written by Professor Tinbergen and his wife, is among the most important papers. It is a pioneer work in applied ethology and is a product of thirty years of observing non-verbal expression in both animals and children. Also included is Professor Tinbergen's 1972 Croonian Lecture, "Functional Ethology and the Human Sciences." These classic original studies will fascinate the increasing number of readers interested in the topical problems of animal and human behavior.