Long and intimate acquaintance with the author of this book must be my apology for attempting to write a brief introduction. Meeting Jack Miner for the first time in 1888, I was at once impressed with his striking personality. I found myself instinctively attracted to him, and a cordial friendship sprang up between us, which grew in intimacy as the years passed. Although lacking in academic culture, his manner was decidedly urbane, and it was not long before I discerned beneath his rough e...

The Ornithologist's Archive gathers thirty-five classic works that chart bird study's passage from attentive natural history to systematic ecology, distributional science, and conservation-minded observation. Its selections range across field notes, regional avifaunas, identification manuals, taxonomic discussions, and reflective prose, revealing ornithology as both a literary and scientific practice. Studies of migration, nesting, geographic variation, and the intimate habits of familiar ...

In "Jack Miner and the Birds, and Some Things I Know about Nature," Jack Miner eloquently blends personal narrative with keen observations of avian life, reflecting his profound love for nature. Through vivid imagery and lyrical prose, Miner not only celebrates the intricate beauty of birds but also dissects the relationship between humans and the natural world. With a blend of autobiographical elements and educational insights, this work encapsulates a significant moment in environmental ...

National Book Award Winner and New York Times Bestseller: Explore earth's most precious, mysterious resource—the ocean—with the author of Silent Spring.With more than one million copies sold, Rachel Carson's The Sea Around Us became a cultural phenomenon when first published in 1951 and cemented Carson's status as the preeminent natural history writer of her time. Her inspiring, intimate writing plumbs the depths of an enigmatic world—a p...

**A Newbery Honor BookCelebrating 50 years of a beloved classic!**Nothing's surprising in the North household, not even Sterling's new pet raccoon. Rascal is only a baby when Sterling brings him home, but soon the two are best friends, doing everything together--until the spring day when everything suddenly changes.Rascal is a heartwarming boyhood memoir that continues to find its way into the hearts of readers fifty years later. This special anniversary ed...

How did cranes come to symbolize matrimonial happiness? Why were magpies the only creatures that would not go inside Noah's Ark?Birds and bird imagery are integral parts of our language and culture. With her remarkable ability to dig up curious and captivating facts, Diana Wells hatches a treat for active birders and armchair enthusiasts alike. Meet the intrepid adventurers and naturalists who risked their lives to describe and name new birds. Learn the mythical sto...

The ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material.This is the perfect pocket guide for keen birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to identify the most commonly seen species in Britain and Europe.Authoritative text and beautiful photographs show the distinguishing features of each bird, including notes on appearance, colour and distinctive features, and information on juveniles, range and habitat, nests, call...

From the sparrow to the starling, the woodpecker to the warbler, the eagle to the egret, and every species in between, birds are some of the most plentiful and most diverse creatures in North America. Soaring high above us, these winged beauties have long been a source of fascination and enchantment.While dozens of studies and field guides have been written, few provide a better-rounded overview of the denizens of the sky than Frank Michler Chapman’s Bird Life. First published in 18...

Poetry is a fascinating use of language. With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that the English language has produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries. In this series we look at individual poets who have shaped and influenced their craft and cement their place in our heritage. In this volume we look further at the works of the eminent American writer Robert Frost.

Why is it that the island of Bali is home to Asian birds such as the weaver bird, and the neighboring island of Lombok, just 24 kilometers away across a narrow strait, echoes to the screams of Australian cockatoos?This extraordinary biological boundary is known today as The Wallace Line. Like his friendly rival and fellow biologist Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace traveled the world collecting and studying species that were new to science. His legacy is The Wallace Line, a nea...

Travelling to the Galápagos to discover the unique flora and fauna that so captivated Darwin and the many that followed him is a rite of passage for serious wildlife enthusiasts. Written by two expert naturalists who are passionate about the Galápagos, this guide is packed with entertaining descriptions, while full-colour photography aids in identifying key species both on land and below water. Now with more detailed descriptions of island landing sites, more photos, and updated informatio...

Although Sierra Club founder and important early environmentalist John Muir was born in Scotland, he spent much of his life traipsing through the wonders of the American wilderness -- and fighting to protect what he regarded as the country's greatest resource. This engaging autobiography tells the tale of how Muir made his way to the United States to find his true calling.