London's Natural History describes how the spread of man’s activities has affected the plants and animals in them, destroying some and creating others. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Up to now there has been no real attempt to write a comprehensive history of a great human community in terms of the animals and plants it has displaced, changed, moved and removed, introduced, conserved, lost or forgotten. In selecting London as an area for such study Mr. Fitter, himself a Londoner, takes the world’s largest aggregation of human beings living in a single community and in many ways the most interesting perhaps of all regions of the British Isles, and shows how the spread of man’s activities has affected the plants and animals in them, destroying some, creating others. Wild birds like the rook and jackdaw have been driven further from St. Paul’s by the relentless advance of London’s tide of bricks, others like the wood pigeon and moorhen have moved in to colonise those oases of greenery, the parks. The influence of international trade has brought many new creatures to the Port of London, most of them undesirable.

This beautiful book surveys the evolution of botanical illustration from the crude scratchings of paleolithic man down to the highly scientific work of the 20th-century. 186 magnificent examples, over 30 in full color.

, xiii, 304 pages, 14 plates of photographs 4 in colour, 22 half tone plates and 116 text figures

Edward A Armstrong is already known to readers of the New Naturalist as the author of the remarkable study on the wren. His wide scholarship and talents have fitted him outstandingly for this book, which could only have been written by a man with his deep understanding, not only of ornithology, but of social anthropology, psychology and comparative religion. Mr Amstrong has selected a number of familiar birds - such as the swan, the raven, the owl, the robin and the wren - and has traced magico-religious beliefs concerning them as far back as possible to the cultures in which these beliefs arose. With the scientist’s eye and methods of analysis he has examined the development of myth and ritual with originality and ingenuity. Many odd and interesting facts are cited, and explanations are given, for example of the customs of breaking the wish-bone, and of fables concerning weather-prophet birds and the generation of the Barnacle Goose from shell-fish. This book is the first treatment of a group of folklore beliefs as a series of artefacts are treated by an archaeologist, classifying them in order according to epochs. Archaeological data, as well as oral and literary traditions, have been used to illustrate the origins and significance of the current folklore. The illustrations are of exceptional quality and consist of over 140 carefully chosen photographs and line drawings from worldwide sources.

British Tits (The New Naturalist Series No. 62)

Lichens are fascinating and beautiful organisms able to colonise a vast range of habitats, including seemingly impossible places such as bare icy mountain tops and sun-scorched coastal rocks. This book discusses all aspects of British lichens, revealing the secrets of their success. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Lichens are fascinating and beautiful organisms able to colonise a vast range of habitats, including seemingly impossible places such as bare icy mountain tops and sun-scorched coastal rocks. This book discusses all aspects of British lichens, revealing the secrets of their success. The book begins by looking at how lichens have been used throughout history in medicines, dyes, food and perfumes. It then goes on to describe what lichens are, and how they grow and reproduce. A detailed survey is given of the range of habitats in which lichens can be on trees, rocks, heaths and moors, chalk and limestone, mountains, rivers, lakes, the coast, walls and buildings, most famously on churches and in churchyards. Gilbert also discusses the susceptibility of lichens to air pollution, and how they can be used to detect environmental pollution. The comprehensive, reader-friendly text, over 150 illustrations and 16 pages of colour, combine to make Lichens the definitive work on this subject of great natural history interest.

British Bats is a comprehensive account of the natural history of these fascinating animals, from their origins and evolution to their feeding habits and reproduction. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Bats are arguably the most successful and diverse mammals ever to evolve. In Britain, one in three of our native land mammals is a bat. Their ecology and behaviour is fascinating. Few mammals live closer to humans; in fact many species roost unnoticed in our homes, and some are now almost entirely dependent on man-made structures for their survival. Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight. They are also one of just two groups which have a sophisticated echolocation system (the other being the dolphins and their relatives). In this book, John Altringham discusses all the different aspects of the natural history of bats, from their origins and evolution to their behaviour, feeding habits and reproduction. He also discusses the threats to the survival of bats, and how we are working to conserve them. Finally, he gives an account of how to watch and study bats in the wild.

A comprehensive account of the natural history of fungi, from their lifestyle, habitats and ecology to their uses for humans. Brian Spooner and Peter Roberts are both widely respected experts in fungi from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. In this highly authoritative guide they examine all aspects of fungi, from their lifestyle and habitats to their diverse reproductive strategies. With practical tips on collecting, preserving and identifying fungi, this is an ideal reference guide for enthusiastic amateurs and professionals alike.

Exploring the significance and history of woodlands on the British landscape, this book looks at such diverse evidence as the woods used in buildings and ships, and how woodland has been portrayed in pictures and photographs, reconstructing British woodland through the ages. Aimed at the non-specialist, this book investigates what woods are and how they function. In lively style and illustrated with beautiful color photographs throughout, readers will learn: how woods evolved and how they are managed, the basic botany (understanding roots, partnerships, longevity, tree-rings), outline of woodland history, pollen analysis and wildwood, archives of woodland and how to study them, different types of woodland, the rise and fall of modern forestry. This is set to be a classic for collectors and general readers alike.

The latest volume in the popular New Naturalist series is a detailed account of the evolution and classification of the wildfowl of Britain and Ireland. David Cabot, an expert in his field, looks at population trends and life cycles in three case studies of best known species—the swan, goose, and duck, along with wildfowl behavior, courtship, and breeding. This comprehensive exploration of what sets British wildfowl apart from other birds also considers the relationships between wildfowl and man, through popular mythology and legends.

The phenomenon of bird migration has fascinated people from time immemorial. The arrivals and departures of different species marked the seasons, heralding spring and autumn and providing a reliable calendar long before anything better became available. Migration is shown by many kinds of animals, including butterflies and other insects, mammals, marine turtles, and fish, but in none is it as extensively developed as in birds. The collective travel routes of birds span almost the entire globe, with some extreme return journeys covering nearly 20,000 miles. As a result of migration, bird distributions are continually changing?in regular seasonal patterns as well as on local, regional, or global scales. Migration has repeatedly prompted familiar questions, such as where birds go or come from, why they do it, how they know when and where to travel, and how they find their way. In this seminal new book, Ian Newton sets out to answer these questions and more. The book is divided into four main the first is introductory, describing the different types of bird movements, methods of study, and the main migration patterns seen around the British Isles. The second part is concerned mainly with the process of migration?the timing, energy needs, weather effects, and navigation. The third covers evolution and change in migratory behavior, and the fourth examines the geographical and ecological aspects of bird movements.

The badger is a large mammal, common but very rarely seen in Britain, which has become one of Britain's best-loved animals. It is a very social animal, living in large family groups and maintaining large territories. It is its nocturnal lifestyle that make it so difficult to see. This new volume in the New Naturalist series reveals the extraordinary complex life style that allows this secretive animal to live in even the most built-up areas of Britain. It also reveals the facts behind the current role of badgers in transmitting tuberculosis to cattle, a theory that has resulted in some of the most intense wildlife investigation in the past ten years.

Owls have always featured prominently in the mythology and folklore of a variety of cultures. These mysterious nocturnal creatures are thought to be symbols of wisdom, omens of death, and bringers of prophecy. In fact, owls are one of the oldest species of vertebrate animal, with fossils dating back 60 million years. Owls have been a source of inspiration to writers, artists, historians and naturalists alike. In a much-anticipated volume on one of Britain’s most fascinating group of birds, Mike Toms draws on a wealth of experience and research, providing a comprehensive natural history of British owls. The first part of the book covers various aspects of owl taxonomy, origins, anatomy, behaviour and ecology and looks across the British owl species, drawing comparisons and highlighting differences. The second part takes each species in turn to provide a more detailed perspective, fleshing out relevant conservation issues, behaviour and status. Toms explores Britain’s beloved Barn Owl, Tawny Owl and Snowy Owl amongst several others. He uses the vast database and latest research from his work with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to focus particularly on the specifics of owls’ breeding ecology, their dispersal patterns, diet, vocalisations, description, population changes and mortality. He addresses conservation issues, changes in legislation and potential changes in the status of one of Britain’s most iconic birds, providing a fascinating overview of the biology and history of British owls.

This is an entirely new revision, expanded and updated by Dr Morris to take account of recent research and controversial issues (including evidence that probably the greatest threat to hedgehogs comes from the rapidly expanding badger numbers - supported by research results published as recently as April).The book is illustrated throughout with cartoon and fine line drawings by renowned wildlife artist Guy Troughton. This special edition also features a gallery of the author's photographs. Pat Morris is this country's leading hedgehog expert. Having studied them for over forty years, he has probably published more scientific papers on the European hedgehog than anyone. He is President of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which recently celebrated its 30th year, and is an established writer and broadcaster, often appearing on television and radio wildlife programmes.