New Title

1) Sinclair, Ian and Olivier Langrand. Chamberlain's Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Réunion and the Comoros (3rd edition). 2013. Struik Nature. Paperback: 263 pages. Price: $29.00 U.S.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands is a comprehensive guide to the bird life of Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros, and the Mascarenes – an area that boasts high levels of endemism. This new, expanded edition is fully updated to reflect taxonomic changes, and now describes and illustrates 502 species. The species accounts cover the birds’ appearance, basic behaviour, preferred habitats, geographical distribution and IUCN threat status. The text is complemented by newly designed plates with labels pinpointing key differentiating features. The introduction includes maps for each island, lists the region’s 211 endemic species, and gives pointers on where to go bird-watching.

RECOMMENDATION: The page count has increased from 184 to 263. Probably the most useful guide to the region.
 

The Weekly Birdbooker Report

                                               Photo copyright: Joe Fuhrman

My WEEKLY Birdbooker Report can be found here: http://www.scilogs.com/maniraptora/birdbooker-report-293/

New Title

1) Sweet, Paul. Natural Histories: Extraordinary Birds. 2013. Sterling. Boxed set with paperback book and 40 plates. Price: $50.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: Extraordinary Birds follows the success of Natural Histories, and is the next compendium in this well-received series that marries art and thought-provoking science. American Museum of Natural History ornithologist Paul Sweet takes readers on a migratory journey across the globe, introducing them to unique and exquisite birds, as well as to groundbreaking avian studies from the past 500 years. Featuring 40 frameable prints and an equal number of fascinating, in-depth essays, this stunning collection gives bird lovers a precious look at illustrated ornithological monographs from the museum's Rare Book Collections.

RECOMMENDATION: Collectors of bird art and bird books will enjoy this book.
 

New Title

1) Pratt, H. Douglas. A Pocket Guide to Hawaii's Birds and Their Habitats. 2013. Mutual Publishing. Paperback: 120 pages. Price: $8.95 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: This guide is an introduction to the beautiful and varied birds that inhabit America's only tropical state. Whether you are a visitor or a resident, you will find something in these pages that will broaden your horizons and increase your knowledge and appreciation of the birds and the environment of this unique archipelago.

      While not a "field guide" in the usual sense, this fact-packed volume helps identify all the birds likely to be seen while walking, hiking, or exploring the islands' many natural treasures. In fact, it covers more species than any other small guidebook available today. You will learn how Hawaii's modern bird community came to be, from the tragic history of the native birds of ancient Hawaii to the dozens of immigrant species seen today.

      You will learn the special nature of island forest and wetland birds, the long and sad story of the extinction of so many species, how seabirds have made these islands their home, base and how Hawaii came to have more introduced species than anywhere else in the world. You will find valuable information about where to see the remaining native birds as well their naturalized neighbors.

      Perhaps this book will be the start of a new passion for you, or just give you some interesting facts about the birds that can be seen every day. Either way, it is sure to open your eyes to island beauties you may have overlooked before.

RECOMMENDATION: A good introduction to the birdlife of Hawaii.
 

New Title

1) Pratchett, Terry. The Carpet People. 2013. Clarion Books. Hardbound: 294 pages. Price: $17.99 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: In the beginning, there was nothing but endless flatness. Then came the Carpet . . .

      That’s the old story everyone knows and loves. But now the Carpet is home to many different tribes and peoples, and there’s a new story in the making. The story of Fray, sweeping a trail of destruction across the Carpet. The story of power-hungry mouls—and of two brothers who set out on an adventure to end all adventures when their village is flattened.

      It’s a story that will come to a terrible end—if someone doesn't do something about it. If everyone doesn’t do something about it . . .

      First published in 1971, this hilarious and wise novel marked the debut of the phenomenal Sir Terry Pratchett. Years later, Sir Terry revised the work, and this special collectable edition includes the updated text, his original color and black-and-white illustrations, and an exclusive story—a forerunner to The Carpet People created by the seventeen-year-old nascent writer who would become one of the world's most beloved storytellers.

RECOMMENDATION: Fans of Pratchett's work will enjoy this book!
 

The Weekly Birdbooker Report

                                                 Photo copyright: Joe Fuhrman


My WEEKLY Birdbooker Report can be found here: http://www.scilogs.com/maniraptora/birdbooker-report-291-292/

New Title

1) Scheiber, Isabella B.R. et al. (editors). The Social Life of Greylag Geese: Patterns, Mechanisms and Evolutionary Function in an Avian Model System. 2013. Cambridge University Press. Hardbound: 237 pages. Price: $99.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: The flock of greylag geese established by Konrad Lorenz in Austria in 1973 has become an influential model animal system and one of the few worldwide with complete life-history data spanning several decades. Based on the unique records of nearly 1000 free-living greylag geese, this is a synthesis of more than 20 years of behavioural research. It provides a comprehensive overview of a complex bird society, placing it in an evolutionary framework and drawing on a range of approaches, including behavioural (personality, aggression, pair bonding and clan formation), physiological, cognitive and genetic. With contributions from leading researchers, the chapters provide valuable insight into historic and recent research on the social behaviour of geese. All aspects of goose and bird sociality are discussed in the context of parallels with mammalian social organisation, making this a fascinating resource for anyone interested in integrative approaches to vertebrate social systems.

      This book features:

• Synthesises more than 20 years of published and unpublished data collected from a renowned animal model system, providing an overview of historic and recent research on goose social behaviour
• Leaders in the field address animal behaviour from a variety of perspectives, including evolutionary, physiological and cognitive approaches
• The data is complemented by anecdotal evidence from the past 20 years, making this a fascinating resource for anyone interested in integrative approaches to vertebrate social systems

RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in this species.
 

New Titles

1) Olsen, Klaus Malling and Hans Larsson. Skuas and Jaegers: A Guide to the Skuas and Jaegers of the World. 1997 (reprinted 2013). Helm. Hardbound: 190 pages. Price: $86.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: Skuas (and jaegers) are a fascinating and ­popular group of seabirds that make up a subfamily of just seven species. They can be ­divided into two main groups: the larger species of Catharacta skuas which are mainly found in the southern hemisphere (with Great Skua breeding­ in the north), and the three Stercorarius species (also known as jaegers) which breed in the ­northern hemisphere. Both northern and southern skuas breed at high latitudes and several ­species are long-distance migrants, ­performing spectacular migrations through most of the world's oceans, ­sometimes even flying overland.
      The individual plumage variation in some species is enormous, creating one of the most puzzling yet fascinating challenges in modern field identification. This is the first complete identification guide to the skuas of the world. It is designed to enable species ­identification and correct ­ageing, and the information presented is based on years of study in the field, detailed
examination of photographs and ­museum skins, and ­extensive research of the ­relevant literature.
      The comprehensive text is accompanied by twelve exquisite colour plates by Hans Larsson, illustrating a wide range of plumages. In ­addition, there are eight pages of colour ­photographs and numerous black and white photographs and drawings that show key ­identification ­features. With this book, the seabird enthusiast­ should at last be able to ­identify almost every skua encountered, whether on a seawatch or at sea.

RECOMMENDATION: A MUST have for those with an interest in these species.

 

2) Shrubb, Michael. Feasting, Fowling and Feathers: A History of the Exploitation of Wild Birds. 2013. T & A D Poyser. Hardbound: 264 pages. Price: $86.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: The way wild birds have been exploited over the centuries forms the focus of this remarkable new book by Michael Shrubb. It looks at the use of birds as food, for feathers and skins, for eggs, as cage birds, as specimens and for hunting, focusing on Britain, northern Europe and the North Atlantic. Never before has a book brought the huge amount of information on these topics in the academic literature together under one cover.
     Introductory chapters on what was taken, when, why and its impact are followed by a number of sections looking in detail at important bird groups. Along with discussions of broader themes of exploitation, the book is packed with amazing facts. For example, we learn:

• why Grey Herons were so important in medieval falconry
• why the Black Death was good news for bustards
• why Napoleon is to blame for the scarcity of Quail in Britain today
• when tame plover stew was all the rage

      The book concludes with discussions of the cage bird and plumage trades, both now consigned to the annals of history, in Britain at any rate. As well as summarising and condensing the material into a readable and entertaining account, Shrubb goes back to the original sources. This has allowed him to shed new and surprising light on the biogeography of a number of British birds.

RECOMMENDATION: A MUST have for anyone with an interest in this topic or that collect the Poyser monograph series.

3) Titus, Alan L. and Mark A. Loewen (editors). At the Top of the Grand Staircase: The Late Cretaceous of Southern Utah. 2013. Indiana University Press. Hardbound: 634 pages. Price: $85.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah is the location of one of the best-known terrestrial records for the late Cretaceous. A major effort in the new century has documented over 2,000 new vertebrate fossil sites, provided new radiometric dates, and identified five new genera of ceratopsids, two new species of hadrosaur, a probable new genus of hypsilophodontid, new pachycephalosaurs and ankylosaurs, several kinds of theropods (including a new genus of oviraptor and a new tyrannosaur), plus the most complete specimen of a Late Cretaceous therizinosaur ever collected from North America, and much more. At the Top of the Grand Staircase: The Late Cretaceous of Southern Utah documents this major stepping stone toward a synthesis of the ecology and evolution of the Late Cretaceous ecosystems of western North America.

RECOMMENDATION: A must have for anyone with an interest in this subject.
 

New Title

1) Gilbert, Elizabeth. The Signature of All Things. 2013. Viking. Hardbound 501 pages. Price: $28.95 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: In The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction, inserting her inimitable voice into an enthralling story of love, adventure and discovery. Spanning much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia. Born in 1800, Henry s brilliant daughter, Alma (who inherits both her father s money and his mind), ultimately becomes a botanist of considerable gifts herself. As Alma s research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, she falls in love with a man named Ambrose Pike who makes incomparable paintings of orchids and who draws her in the exact opposite direction into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose a utopian artist but what unites this unlikely couple is a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life.
      Exquisitely researched and told at a galloping pace, The Signature of All Things soars across the globe from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond. Along the way, the story is peopled with unforgettable characters: missionaries, abolitionists, adventurers, astronomers, sea captains, geniuses, and the quite mad. But most memorable of all, it is the story of Alma Whittaker, who born in the Age of Enlightenment, but living well into the Industrial Revolution bears witness to that extraordinary moment in human history when all the old assumptions about science, religion, commerce, and class were exploding into dangerous new ideas. Written in the bold, questing spirit of that singular time, Gilbert s wise, deep, and spellbinding tale is certain to capture the hearts and minds of readers.
RECOMMENDATION: If you enjoyed the author's other books, you should enjoy this one.
 

New Titles

1) Lieberman, Daniel E.. The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health, and Disease. 2013. Pantheon. Hardbound: 461 pages. Price: $27.95 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: In this landmark book of popular science, Daniel E. Lieberman—chair of the department of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University and a leader in the field—gives us a lucid and engaging account of how the human body evolved over millions of years, even as it shows how the increasing disparity between the jumble of adaptations in our Stone Age bodies and advancements in the modern world is occasioning this paradox: greater longevity but increased chronic disease.
      The Story of the Human Body brilliantly illuminates as never before the major transformations that contributed key adaptations to the body: the rise of bipedalism; the shift to a non-fruit-based diet; the advent of hunting and gathering, leading to our superlative endurance athleticism; the development of a very large brain; and the incipience of cultural proficiencies. Lieberman also elucidates how cultural evolution differs from biological evolution, and how our bodies were further transformed during the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions.
      While these ongoing changes have brought about many benefits, they have also created conditions to which our bodies are not entirely adapted, Lieberman argues, resulting in the growing incidence of obesity and new but avoidable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Lieberman proposes that many of these chronic illnesses persist and in some cases are intensifying because of “dysevolution,” a pernicious dynamic whereby only the symptoms rather than the causes of these maladies are treated. And finally—provocatively—he advocates the use of evolutionary information to help nudge, push, and sometimes even compel us to create a more salubrious environment.

RECOMMENDATION: An interesting overview of Human evolution.
 

2) VanderMeer, Jeff. Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction. 2013. Abrams. Paperback: 332 pages. Price: $24.95 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: This all-new definitive guide to writing imaginative fiction takes a completely novel approach and fully exploits the visual nature of fantasy through original drawings, maps, renderings, and exercises to create a spectacularly beautiful and inspiring object. Employing an accessible, example-rich approach, Wonderbook energizes and motivates while also providing practical, nuts-and-bolts information needed to improve as a writer. Aimed at aspiring and intermediate-level writers, Wonderbook includes helpful sidebars and essays from some of the biggest names in fantasy today, such as George R. R. Martin, Lev Grossman, Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, Catherynne M. Valente, and Karen Joy Fowler, to name a few.

RECOMMENDATION: An interesting illustrated approach to writing fiction.
 

The Weekly Birdbooker Report

                                               Photo copyright: Joe Fuhrman

My WEEKLY Birdbooker Report can be found here: http://www.scilogs.com/maniraptora/birdbooker-report-290/

New Title

1) Fleming, Theodore H.. and W. John Kress. The Ornaments of Life: Coevolution and Conservation in the Tropics. 2013. The University of Chicago Press. Paperback: 588 pages. Price: $50.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: The average kilometer of tropical rainforest is teeming with life; it contains thousands of species of plants and animals. As The Ornaments of Life reveals, many of the most colorful and eye-catching rainforest inhabitants—toucans, monkeys, leaf-nosed bats, and hummingbirds to name a few—are an important component of the infrastructure that supports life in the forest. These fruit-and-nectar eating birds and mammals pollinate the flowers and disperse the seeds of hundreds of tropical plants, and unlike temperate communities, much of this greenery relies exclusively on animals for reproduction.

Synthesizing recent research by ecologists and evolutionary biologists, Theodore H. Fleming and W. John Kress demonstrate the tremendous functional and evolutionary importance of these tropical pollinators and frugivores. They shed light on how these mutually symbiotic relationships evolved and lay out the current conservation status of these essential species. In order to illustrate the striking beauty of these “ornaments” of the rainforest, the authors have included a series of breathtaking color plates and full-color graphs and diagrams.

RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in tropical ecology.
 

New Title

1) Baggott, Jim. Higgs: The Invention and Discovery of the "God Particle". 2013. Oxford University Press. Paperback: 27 pages. Price: $15.95 U.S.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: The hunt for the Higgs particle has involved the biggest, most expensive experiment ever. So what is this particle called the Higgs boson? Why does it matter so much? What does this "God particle" tells us about the Universe? And was finding it really worth all the effort?
      The short answer is yes, and there was much at stake: our basic model for the building blocks of the Universe, the Standard Model, would have been in tatters if there was no Higgs particle. The Higgs field had been proposed as the way in which particles gain mass - a fundamental property of matter. Little wonder the hunt and discovery have produced such intense media interest.
      Here, Jim Baggott explains the science behind the discovery, looking at how the concept of a Higgs field was invented, how it is part of the Standard Model, and its implications on our understanding of all mass in the Universe.
      This book features:*A non-technical account of the invention and discovery of the Higgs boson
*Explores the scientific background to the Higgs particle - how the theory was developed, its significance, and how it was discovered
*Explains the importance of the discovery and what it means for our understanding of the Universe
*Tackles a major discovery about the nature of the universe - a topic of wide interest and curiosity
RECOMMENDATION: Now available in paperback. For those with an interest in particle physics.
 

New Title

1) Newton, Ian. Bird Populations. 2013. William Collins. Paperback: 596 pages. Price: £35.00/ about $57.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: In Ian Newton’s latest New Naturalist volume, he explores bird populations and why their numbers vary in the way they do, from year to year or from place to place. He addresses the various factors that we know limit bird numbers – food supplies and other resources, competitors, predators, parasites and pathogens, and various human impacts.

      The combination of a rapidly expanding human population, a predominantly utilitarian attitude to land, central government policy on land use, and increasing mechanisation have combined to promote more massive changes in land use – and hence in bird habitats – in recent decades than at any comparable period previously. These developments have in turn brought huge changes in bird populations, as some species dependent on the old landscapes declined, and others benefiting from the changes increased. Over the same period, changing public attitudes to wildlife, protective legislation and a growing network of nature reserves allowed previously scarce bird species to recover from past onslaughts, while climate warming has promoted further changes.

      In this seminal new work, Ian Newton sets out to explain why different bird species are distributed in the numbers that they are, and have changed over the years in the way that they have. He emphasises the factors that influence bird numbers, rather than the numbers themselves, thus providing a much-needed overview which is necessary if we are to successfully manage bird populations, whether for conservation reasons, for sustainable hunting or for crop protection. The continued monitoring of bird numbers can also alert us to impending environmental problems. In addition, the regular watching and study of birds now provides a source of recreation and pleasure for very large numbers of people, who would find a world with fewer birds a poorer place.

RECOMMENDATION: A must have for those with an interest in the subject or for those that collect the New Naturalist series.