Nature : Birds & Birdwatching

A sweeping combination of social and natural history, Peacock is the first book to bring together all the shimmering, colorful facets of these magnificent birds. more...

Price: $23.95

This book reports and summarizes the findings of several dozen studies that have used ptilochronology (the study of feather time) as a research tool. It provides a practical resource as well as a source of understanding of how the technique can be used to address important questions in avian biology. - ;This is the first book to summarize the methods, conceptual issues and results of studies using the interpretation of feather growth rates as an index of nutritional condition in birds. The author has coined the term ptilochronology (literally, 'the study of feather time') to describe this technique, which relies on the fact that as a feather grows it produces visible growth bars. Both the technique and its conceptual foundations have been applied worldwide to numerous studies of. avian evolution, ecology, and conservation biology. The author reviews this work, chronicles the various criticisms that have been made, and describes how these have influenced the development of ptilochronology. He goes on to suggest experimental methodologies and analytical techniques to safeguard. against invalid results. A final chapter summarises this new technique's contribution to avian biology, and suggests potential applications and a future research agenda. An appendix details specific measurements and describes the methodology associated with ptilochronology. Ptilochronology provides a practical resource as well as a conceptual understanding of how this technique can be used to address important questions in avian biology. It will be of relevance and use to professional avian biologists and ornithologists as well as to graduate students of avian behavioural ecology, evolution and conservation. - ;...this book brings together many published resources and we recommend it. - Annika Samuelsen & Jim Quinn, McMaster University, Ontario. ISBE Newsletter, Volume 19, Issue 1 (Spring 2007);Ptilochronology: Feather Time and the Biology of Birds could be particularly useful t more...

Price: $151.50

Part 1. Prelude. 1. Darwinism and Wallacism: A Brief Account of the Long History of the Study of Plumage Coloration. 2. A Red Bird in a Brown Bag: An Introduction to the House Finch. 3. In the Eye of the Beholder: Color Vision and the Quantification of Color. Part 2. The Proximate Control and Function of Red Plumage. 4. You Are What You Eat: Plumage Pigments and Carotenoid Physiology. 5. A Matter of Condition: The Effects of Environment on Plumage Coloration. 6. Darwin Vindicated: Female Choice and Sexual Selection in the House Finch. 7. Fine Fathers and Good Genes: The Direct and Indirect Benefits of Female Choice. 8. Studs, Duds, and Studly Duds: Plumage Coloration, Hormones, and Dominance. 9. The Feeling's Mutual: Female Plumage Coloration and Male Mate Choice. Part 3. Biogeography and the Evolution of Colorful Plumage. 10. From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli (New York): Populations, Subspecies, and Geographic Variation in Ornamental Coloration. 11. Why Red?: The Evolution of Color Display. 12. Epilogue. Glossary. References. Index more...

Price: $54.00

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Price: $9.99

Copiously illustrated with maps, line drawings, and full-color photographs, each of these large-format (8 1/2 x 10 7/8) paperback books contains the essential information that backyard nature enthusiasts want and need -- to attract, identify, and understand birds and butterflies, and to grow and identify beautiful wildflowers at home. more...

Price: $13.99