Reviews (1)

a simple pocket guide
Great, basic guide book for gaining a more acute sense of native trees in Wisconsin including many common, non-native species as well. 101 different trees are highlighted, 16 conifers and 85 deciduous. The book has a nice layout, ideal for quick reference use, with a good full page color photo for each tree. The trees are grouped according to their leaf type. Handy icons for these groups appear in the upper right-hand page corner and down by the page number. There is also, an icon made for visually understanding the mature tree size, comparing it to a 2-story house. Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Trees & Forests - General   

Reviews (1)

Loons, Loons,Loons
This is a great book that really helps and people of all ages learn more about one of the most fascinating birds. The loon. This book talks about the different species of loons and also breeding and hunting techniques. Yet why would anyone want to read a book on loons? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals / Pets    2. Birds & Birdwatching    3. General    4. Individual Species Of Birds    5. Loons    6. New Age    7. Photographs: collections   

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    2. General    3. Nature    4. Reference    5. Birds & birdwatching    6. Reference / General   

Editorial Review

For Frans de Waal, man is not the only moral entity, as he made clear in his last book--Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent!
This is an excellent book with beautiful, full color photographs that speak a thousand words.I also loved reading about the behavior of the Bonobo and understanding how similar we are to them.I especially love the way that they do conflict resolution, humans would do better to learn a thing or two from the Bonobo!

Another fine effort by de Waal
Most people are familiar with chimps but few have heard of the bonobo, but we resemble them behaviorally more than any of the other great apes. Also I recall reading once that we have the greatest genetic similarity to bonobos. I forget the exact figure, but humans share something like 99.5 percent of their genetic material with bonobos. Bonobo, you are not forgotten
This is a ground breaking book which forces humans to realize that not all of the great apes are violent as chimpanzees have been pigeonholed. It ultimately questions our humanness in relation to our 2 closest relatives: chimps & bonobos. Humans have characteristics of both, then why do many humans believe human nature is violent? This book gives us a mirror to see ourselves in. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Behavior    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Bonobo    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Animal behaviour    9. Primates    10. Science / Biology   

Subjects:  1. Africa, East    2. Africa, Eastern    3. Birds    4. Birds & Birdwatching    5. Identification    6. Nature / Field Guide Books   

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Color    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - Ichthyology    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Science    8. Birds (ornithology)    9. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (1)

Good
Your price on this book ~ The Birds of Africa (Vol 5) ~ is no better than buying it anyplace else including from the publisher.Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - General    3. Birds    4. Birds & Birdwatching - General    5. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    6. Nature    7. Nature / Field Guide Books    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Ornithology    10. Biological Sciences    11. Birds (ornithology)    12. Birds and Natural History    13. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (2)

Definitive guide to birds of New Zealand...
And I'm quite sure any Kiwi birder would agree with that. My review is of the revised edition of this book [ISBN 0670-89370-6].
The definative field guide to New Zealand birds
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Nature   

Reviews (1)

Gold mine for zebra finch fanatics
written by Richard A. Zann, School of Zoology, La Trobe University, Australia Zebra Finches are among the most studied birds. Scientists all over the world have been using zebra finches as subjects for laboratory research. Field biologists have also been studying the wild zebra finch in depth. Now, Richard A. Zann from La Trobe University in Australia has written a book compiling a veritable gold mine of this information about our favourite bird. Topics covered in the book include distribution and habitat, feeding, drinking, breeding behaviour, social behaviour, vocalisations, imprinting, etc. For instance, did you know that several studies into the water requirements of zebra finches have shown that under certain conditions zebra finches can survive for many months without access to water at all (don't try this at home!). Or did you know that although wild zebra finches pair for life, DNA fingerprinting of nestlings and their parents does not always show the expected relationship (which, of course, is why we bird keepers don't recommend colony breeding when accurate breeding records are essential). Sometimes just one of the parents are related to the nestling, and sometimes zebra finches will even go as far as to drop an egg in someone else's nest. This book is fascinating information like this, non-stop. The book is written mainly with other scientists in mind, but still in relatively easy to understand English (on some occasions, I could have used a glossary, but English is not my first language). Some behavioural aspects, such as courtship, are illustrated with expertly drawn line drawings and much of the statistical data is presented in very informative charts and maps. If you are only interested in breeding and showing your birds for the sport of it, then you don't need this book. The information about domesticated zebra finch varieties is somewhat limited. However, if you are at all interested in the behaviour of the wild ancestor of your zebra finches then this is a great book which you should consider getting. In fact, I can only see one reason why not all people would go out and buy this book: the price. Specifics: Title: Zebra Finches - A Synthesis of Field and Laboratory Studies (click here for more information) Author: Richard A. Zann Published by Oxford University Press 1996 335 pages, hard cover Black & white line drawings, maps and charts. (review also published at my homepage http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2187/index2.html ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Individual Species Of Birds    3. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Zebra finch    8. Animal behaviour    9. Animal ecology    10. Animal physiology    11. Birds (ornithology)    12. Life Sciences | Vertebrate Zoology | Ornithology    13. Science / Physiology   

Reviews (1)

Not comprehensive, but nicely done.
Be aware that this is not a comprehensive guide to every bird you'd find in AZ and NM.However, if you want most of them, this is a handy, pocket-sized guide (4x6 inches) with nice photos.The layout provides two facing pages per species -- a photo on the left and description/text on the right.Every text page has a color-coded map showing EXACTLY where the bird is found and in what season.Many pages also have a small inset photo (at the bottom of the page) of a similar-looking bird, with a short note about it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arizona    2. Bird Watching    3. Birds    4. Birds & Birdwatching - General    5. Identification    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. New Mexico    9. Birds & birdwatching    10. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (4)

Superb Book.
Beautiful illustrations, very informative of the most interesting avifauna family.
The Birds of Paradise
I have just returned from Irian Jaya and spent the time looking at birds (including some BOP)and reading this excellent book. It is an extremely thorough, comprehensive and enjoyable book. Anybody who has an interest in Birds of Paradise - or indeed birds in general will do well to invest in this book. One day all bird books will be like this. Well done Frith, Beehler & Cooper - well done indeed.

THE BOOK on Birds of Paradise
This is a truly massive work (600+ pages all in "King-size") more suited for the coffee-table than the field. If there is anything you would like to know about Birds of Paradise you can find it here. The first part (150+ pages) of the book deals with a huge number of scientific matters examples being the discovery, ecology, biogeography, evolution, conservation, and reproductive behaviour of the Paradisaeidae. A absolutely astonishing number of tables exist in this part of the book. The next 300+ pages of the book deals with the individual species (all 42 or so species incl. Manucodes and Riflebirds). These descriptions are truly comprehensive dealing with description (incl. juv. and nestling appearance), distribution, systematics, subspecies, size, distribution (incl. map), habitat, vocalisation, courtship behaviour, diet, status, where any knowledge is lacking, and experiences in aviculture (this is just a sample of the subjects dealt with!!!). Numerous black-and-white drawings show different behaviours and a sonogram is often included. The text is scientific (with numerous references), however it should not present a large problem to the average reader, as a glossary exists in the back of the book. In the centre of the book 15 colour plates exists. One shows old drawings of Bird of Paradise, another shows different habitat photos, and yet another shows different nesting behaviour and moulting of a number of species (also in photos). The remaining plates show some of the highest quality drawings of birds I have ever seen. All the species of Birds of Paradise are depicted in a huge variety of plumage's (e.g. males, females, juveniles, and different subspecies). One plate is even devoted to their egg's. The drawings can only bee described as a true appetiser for anyone interested in beauty. The last two plates depict a number of hybrids apparently rather common in the Birds of Paradise. A chapter also deals with this subject. Well, after all this scientific nonsense, who would want to buy this book (other than a scientist)? Everybody interested in special, interesting, and beautiful birds. If you are going to New Guinea in the near future this is absolutely also a book worth looking at. A five page chapter also discusses how, when, and where best to see Birds of Paradise (also as a the tourist!!!). It will prepare you for this astonishing group of birds like no field guide could ever do. The only thing I would have wished for is more colour photos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds of paradise    3. Individual Species Of Birds    4. Life Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    6. Nature    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Animal behaviour    10. Animal ecology    11. Birds & birdwatching    12. Birds (ornithology)    13. Life Sciences | Vertebrate Zoology | Ornithology    14. Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Ornithology   

Reviews (4)

Why Penguin Can't Fly?
Quite informative and attractive. But I can't find an "ISBN/Code No." of this book.

most excellent
semi-prompt shipping, good experience, excellent condition when it arrived, and it was in the necessary packaging to keep it that way from when it left, so i was happy.

Penguins
I like this book because it can tell u and me alot about penguins but i think that this site is bad because is doesent show u the inside of this book to be better that other wed sites.My suggestion to the company if theyread these is that u can do better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Individual Species Of Birds    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Penguins    6. Pictorial works    7. Birds & birdwatching    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Birds   

Editorial Review

Lorrie Moore made her debut in 1985 with Read more

Reviews (84)

Drivel dressed in ill fitting wordplay...
Ms Moore undoubtedly knows how to write a clever turn of phrase.But she seems far too consciously self conscious and wears her jaded view of life like a personal crown of thorns.Some of the stories were passably entertaining, but strangely forgettable.Most of them, however were numbingly cynical and self absorbed.I tried to read this book (based on wildly enthusiastic reviews at the time) back when it was published in 1998.I never finished it.This year I ran into it on my bookshelf again, and wondered if I'd read it; and if so, why didn't I remember it?There was a bookmark still in it...about three or four stories in.So...why couldn't I remember anything about it?I started reading it again...and nothing came to mind.I had absolutely no recollection of any of the stories I'd apparently read in 1998.I made it to the 10th story this time, and once again...I put the book back on the shelf.This time I enclosed a note to not bother with it again.I sincerely hope that most people do not view life as presented in this book, and I ardently hope most people aren't as flawed and unbalanced as Ms Moore seems to view them. While there are moments of humor, I fail to see goose genocide as amusing. That is just one example of what I saw as cynicism run amok. I attempted to re-read this book only two weeks ago.I just went and got it back down to write this review...and to my surprise...once AGAIN..I'd already forgotten most of every story.What a waste.

What wonderful stories!
I wasn't very enthusiastic with Self-Help, but decided to give Lorrie Moore another whirl.Birds of America is a wonderful short-story collection and I am glad I had decided not to put this author on my black list.The stories in this book center on female angst (and a couple of them center on men), nothing new there, but her stories are told with a mixture of poignancy, humor and insight that make them irresistible.Some of the stories also had a bit of surrealistic twist, which made them even more attractive.Some of them deal with mundane issues, like grieving a pet's death, and others deal with more serious matters, like a terminal illness, but they are all told in a way that give the characters a great deal of depth.My favorite stories are "Terrific Mother," "Charades," "Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens," "People Like That Are the Only People Here," and "Real Estate."These stories are amazing and I cannot recommend this collection enough.Perhaps I was too harsh with Ms. Moore when I read Self-Help.She has proven to be quite an amazing storyteller with this collection.

A Christmas Appreciation of Lorrie Moore
It's Christmastime and my own book of short stories, "The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea" debuted just last Friday, December 16th, on Amazon, and I was trying to describe to someone what my work is like.It's hard to describe your own work, but that's what brought me here, to find how Moore is described.I greatly admire Lorrie Moore, for her humor, for her style, and for her bravery to explore purely sad and horrible moments with such incredible insight and, often, light.Hence, before moving on, I thought I'd write a love letter to her work.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Short stories    8. Social life and customs    9. United States    10. Birds & birdwatching    11. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)   

Reviews (6)

Unbeatable Reference on WILD Parrots
I was long wondering whether to buy this book or not, but it was well worth getting.
Not a good guide
I own parrots, I have friends who own parrots, and I have a brother who breeds parrots.I feel I can knowledgably say that this is not a good guide to parrots.It is full of mistakes both in the text and in the illustrations.I was very disappointed when I went through this book and, fortunately, I did not buy it but got it through the library.If you want info about this group of birds buy the standard, Forshaw's Parrots of the World, and just realize that the information about ranges and scientific names might be out-of-date but overall this is the better book by far.It deserves no stars.

A Terrific Guide to Parrots!
This is got to be one of the best guide books I have ever seen featuring over 350 different species of parrots on our planet.Being the bird lover that I am, and that includes domestic as well as wild birds,I own almost every book out there on birds, and I really love this edition by Tony Juniper & Mike Parr.It should really be called an encyclopedia because there is just so much information in these almost 600 pages.The 88 superb color illustrations of all the species by 5 different artists are so beautiful & true to life.As you already know by reading the editorial & other reviews, this book includes range maps of the species locations, their vocalizations, life expectancies, and much more fascinating information.Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Ecology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Ornithology    7. Parrots    8. Wildlife    9. Applied ecology    10. Birds & birdwatching    11. Birds (ornithology)    12. Environmental & ecological science    13. Nature / General   

Editorial Review

If you're looking to add an Andean gull, Dalmatian pelican, Indian skimmer, or Fiji petrel to your life list, you'll want to have this beautifully illustrated photographic guide, with more than 740 plates, close to hand. Each of the 325-odd seabird species is described with a range map indicating principal breeding grounds, along with informative identification notes distinguishing seasonal coloration and commenting on characteristic behavior (such as the white-chinned petrel's penchant for trailing after ships in mid-ocean). The tubenose identification keys at the end of the book are notably well made, and the index contains a handy checklist for the dedicated spotter. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One of the most complete guides of seabirds
This is one of the most complete guides to identifying seabirds. This book makes it easy to identify each species by providing photos, descriptions, illustrations & a helpful index of English names. Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Identification    4. Nature    5. Nature / Field Guide Books    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Ornithology    8. Pictorial works    9. Sea birds    10. Biological Sciences    11. Biology, Life Sciences    12. Birds and Natural History    13. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (3)

Bird Census Techniques: a review
This is an extremely useful guide to anyone thinking about doing a serious bird count. I myself have counted birds on many habitats and for many reasons, and I had to review a large number of papers before adopting a counting method. Now, with this book in hand, all essential techniques of counting birds, whether in the tropics or temperate regions, are within minutes reach! I found this title highly useful for my bird census studies. It is a highly practical work. I recommend it for anyone who counts birds, whether for serious scientific work or just as a simple hobby.

Nice intro into ecological censusing for beginners/amateurs
As someone who has worked with the public to do bird conservation, I have found this book to be helpful in helping to explain the techniques & issues that scientists face when doing ecological censusing. the best of the birdy books
this is really the best. no doubt. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Life Sciences - Ecology    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Science    7. Animal ecology    8. Birds (ornithology)    9. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (6)

A Field Guide to Hawks Of America
This is a fantastic book! I use it myself to identify the different Hawks we see. Thank You.

Quality Study
This book is not only informitive but the photos and diagrams are high quality like the paper it is printed on. A must have book for a serious birder
I consider the Second Edition of the Peterson Filde Guide to the hawks of North America as a must have for any serious birder.The book is well laid out.It has a great set of new color paintings to illustrate the various plumages of the hawks and supplements these by new color photos. Excellent field marks are given for each species. Some of them are new to me. The paintings are clear and sharp and illustrate the field marks needed to identify each bird.The book illustrates how to identify the birds both flying and perched.It is well written and easy to use.I think so highly of the book that it is a required text in addition to the Sibley Guide for an advanced wildlife identification course I teach. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Birds of prey    4. Identification    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. North America    8. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Ornithology    6. Biological Sciences    7. Birds (ornithology)    8. Birds and Natural History    9. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    10. Seychelles   

Reviews (5)

Secret Lives of Hummingbirds
A very nice look at the smallest, but most colorful and energetic, member of the family of birds.

Wonderful Book that Ends All Too Soon
The book is very readable and has lots of interesting information about hummingbirds.Makes me want to visit the museum now for a photo tour.The book is only 22 pages long, however, so be aware of that in ordering.

Jewel's Of The Air!!!
A fantastic insight into the amazing world of the Hummer! As a Southern California native, we have many species of Hummingbirds and this book gives a great basic overview of the little jewel's of the air! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Nature    4. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    5. Nature / Field Guide Books    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Reference    8. Arizona    9. Birds    10. Birds & Birdwatching    11. Desert animals    12. Individual Species Of Birds    13. North America    14. Sonoran Desert   

Reviews (4)

Poorly organized
This book is NOT like the Birds of Europe (Princeton Guide). Many illustrations are crowded on pages with very little written information on the same pages. It is all stuck in the back, keyed to the plate number of the illustration.
An Excellent Guide!
After an earlier edition of this guide was long out of print and increasingly hard to find and expensive even as a second hand copy, the publication of this new, paperback edition was most welcome!
Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East
I would actually rate this book at a 4.99. The reason I did not give it a 5 is that the maps only show the breeding or summer range. Other than that the book is outstanding. The colors vivid and the artwork is exceptional. The plates have brief descriptions that you need in the field and in the back of the book the author goes into greater depth and gets really specific, this format is different than any other guide I have and I liked it. When and if it ever comes out in soft cover it should be the book to carry when visiting the Middle East.Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Ornithology    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Science    6. Biological Sciences    7. Birds (ornithology)    8. Birds and Natural History    9. Middle East    10. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching