Collins New Naturalist

Series · 114

books · 1945-2015

By William M. Condry, Kenneth Mellanby, George F. Peterken, and more

Books in series

Butterflies

1945

Dr Ford, the author of this fascinating volume on butterflies, was an enthusiastic butterfly collector in his youth. He was not only a professional biologist of great distinction but also brought his wide knowledge of genetics and evolution to bear on the problems arising out of his collecting. Thus he was able to see butterflies both as an absorbing hobby and as part of the great panorama of biology. The resultant book is an outstanding contribution to Natural History in the best sense of the term. Natural History is not something inferior to science – it is part of science, inviting an approach by way of field study. While, therefore, Dr Ford’s book contains a somewhat higher proportion of scientific history and technical ideas than most books on Natural History, this for the great majority of amateurs will be a stimulus rather than an obstacle, and throughout the author has kept in mind the needs of butterfly collectors and of all those who love the country in the hope that it may increase their pleasure by widening the scope of their interests.

British Game

1946

Mr. Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald is the editor of The Field. He is also a considerable naturalist in his own right. It will be a simple matter for the reader to determine this for himself, for at every page he will discover the original observations and personal opinions of the writer. Mt. Vesey-Fitzgerald is not only extremely well informed in the scientific aspects of the natural history of the birds and mammals with which he deals, but he is also a countryman of wide experience, a wild-fowler, Vice-President of the Gamekeepers Associstion, a friend of gypsies and we suspect of poachers. All these things fit him well to describe the natural history of British Game and put it in a proper perspective. His book ranges beyond the strict legal interpretation of game and is full of interesting details about the birds and beasts that should interest sportsmen, and all too frequently to not. But all readers will be attracted by the author's easy flow of information on a variety of topics.

London's Natural History

1945

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.

Britain's Structure and Scenery

1946

It would be difficult to find an area of comparable size anywhere in the world with such a variety of physical conditions, scenery and consequently of plant and animal life as the British Isles. Our homeland is indeed a geological museum, epitomising in miniature the geological history of the globe. Each hill and valley, each plateau and plain reflects the underlying geological structure or build; this volume attempts not only to describe the surface features, but also to sketch the long and complex series of events which have given the land its present form - the building of the British Isles. It thus deals with the physical background, the stage on which the drama of life is played and which provides the fundamental environment for plants, animals and man.

Wild Flowers

Botanising in Britain

1954

. 1978 rep bright clean copy

#6b

The Highlands and Islands

1947

#6a

Natural History in the Highlands and Islands

2012

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are rugged moorland, alpine mountains and jagged coast with remarkable natural history. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are rugged moorland, alpine mountains and jagged coast with remarkable natural history, including relict and specialised animals and plants. Here are animals in really large St. Kilda with its sea-birds, North Rona its seals, Islay its wintering geese, rivers and lochs with their spawning salmon and trout, the ubiquitous midges! This is big country with red deer, wildcat, pine marten, badger, otter, fox, ermine, golden eagle, osprey, raven, peregrine, grey lag, divers, phalaropes, capercaillie and ptarmigan. Off-shore are killer whales and basking sharks. Here too in large scale interaction is forestry, sheep farming, sport, tourism and wild life conservation.

Mushrooms And Toadstools

1953

Britain's neglect of fungi as table delicacies has perhaps been responsible for our surprising ignorance of the natural history of such fascinating plants. Puff-balls, more than a foot in diameter; mouls in jam-pots; dry rot; truffles; these are examples of the wide range of the Group, comprising over 100,000 species. Many are of economic importance - for example, the rusts that attack wheat and other crops, and the yeasts which ferment beer - and there are others of great biological interest, such as the mycorrhizal fungi which live in association with the roots of forest trees, orchids and other plants, and help them to absorp food from the soil. Penicillin, of course, has become a household word, and this book's final chapter on the industry is one of the best short accounts of the subject yet writtern. Dr. Ramsbottom was for many years Keeper of Botany at the Natural History Museum, and has devoted his life to the study of fungi in all their aspects. He is equally at home in the field, the laboratory and the library. One of the special features of Mushrooms and Toadstools is the wealth of historical allusion to fungi extracted from old books. Set out in a style reminiscent of Robert Burton, this colume can truly be described as a 20th century "Anatomy of Toadstool." Indeed, in fairy rings, science and superstition have gone hand in hand to produce a lively story of alternating surmise and research - and even today a full and final explanation of these mysterious rings has not yet been made. Many of the larger toadstools are brightly coloured and lend themselves admirably to colour photography, as shown by the 80 remarkable illustrations by Mr Paul de Laszlo.

Insect Natural History

2008

No further information has been provided for this title.

A Country Parish

1951

The natural history of an ordinary English country parish was one of the first subjects that suggested themselves when the New Naturalist series was planned. Being chiefly farmland and therefore practically all man-made, most country parishes are extremely complex from the naturalist’s point of view and also inevitably contain a vast amount of human history. Any attempt to describe their plants and animals has to be closely related with the ways of man himself, who must be regarded as the chief element in the community – a fact which has been obvious enough to naturalists ever since the days of Gilbert White. For this book we are fortunate to have found an author who combines a thorough all-round knowledge of natural history with a sound insight into human customs, history, pastimes and farming methods. Arnold Boyd has lived in Cheshire all his life – since 1902 in the parish of Antrobus, part of the old parish of Great Budworth, the character of which is typical of much of the Cheshire Plain. In keeping with the best tradition of English amateur naturalists, he excels as a collector of facts, as has been apparent from his previous books, his writing in the Manchester Guardian and other journals, and in his assistant editorship of British Birds. By weaving together his collection of facts he presents us with a book of remarkable unity and which shows a wide grasp of every aspect of the living communities. This charming yet erudite portrait will protect his beloved parish forever from the ravages of human forgetfulness.

#10

British Plant Life

1948

The aim of this series is to interest the general reader in the wildlife of Britain by recapturing the enquiring spirit of the old naturalists, encouraging unusual and original developments of forgotten or neglected facets of British natural history. Collins are delighted to announce the republication in facsimile form of the first editions of the very first volumes in the New Naturalist Library. Originally planned in the darkest days of World War II and first published in 1945, this series is the longest running nature series in the world. It is a reflection of the quality of the authors and the books they wrote, that they are still sought after 73 years later. The books will be identical in every way to the original first editions, including the iconic jackets by Clifford and Rosemary Ellis. There has been a great increase in knowledge of the composition, structure, and history of our flora in recent years. Dr.Turrill, former Keeper of the Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, contributed as much as any other botanist to this increase and has laid special emphasis on the integration of the older methods of classification with the more recent techniques of ecological and genetical research. The resulting story, though not yet complete, is as exciting as a first-class detective novel. In the present volume emphasis is placed on the gaps and uncertainties in our knowledge and it is suggested how readers with a flair for accurate observation and simple experiment can help towards completing the story. In the broad sense, the British flora can be regarded as an offshoot of that of the European continent. The influence of geographical position and geographical history has, however, resulted in distinct peculiarities, and, above all, there have been the modifications produced by the last great Ice Age. How much was destroyed and how much survived this catastrophe is discussed by Dr. Turrill. The various routes of migration are traced as far as possible and the changes in climate and the advent of man are shown to have led to profound alterations in the flora.

#11

Mountains and Moorlands

1950

, xv, 312 pages, 47 colour photographs, 34 Black & white photographs, 48 maps and diagrams

#12

The Sea Shore

1949

Provides a vivid picture of all aspects of the natural history of the seashore of Great Britain. 311 pages. 40 Color Plates, Over 30 Plates in b/w, 87 Text Figures

#13

Snowdonia

The National Park of North Wales

1949

#14

The Art of Botanical Illustration

1950

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.

#15

Life in Lakes and Rivers

1951

Photographic editor: Eric Hosking Editors: James Fisher, John Gilmour, Julian Huxley, L.Dudley Stamp.

#16

Wild Flowers Of Chalk & Limestone

1950

The New Naturalist Wild Flowers of Chalk and Limestone (Collins New Naturalist Series)

#17

Birds and Men

1951

Revealing the impact of civilisation upon our bird life, with particular reference to the species that have come to rely largely on types of habitat greatly modified or actually formed by human action. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com This, the first book on birds in the New Naturalist main series, is undoubtedly one of the most important contributions to the literature of British ornithology of recent years. Its subject is the impact of civilisation upon our bird life, with particular reference to the species that have come to rely largely on types of habitat greatly modified or actually formed by human action. Mr. Nicholson is already well known to many for his popularisation of the scientific study of birds as a means of their protection, and it is not surprising, therefore, that this volume should also be concerned with the ways in which birds and men can live happily together. Readers will be delighted by his combination of the aesthetic approach with serious criticism, and particularly by the note of optimism in the book – the suggestion that not all the works of man are fated to destroy nature, and that some of them are likely to improve the quality and variety of our birds. From the ornithological point of view, we have an interesting half-century before us. It is extremely probable that at the end of it BIRDS AND MEN will still be widely read, and quarried for facts and conclusions by the next generation of naturalists.

#18

A Natural History of Man in Britain

1951

One of the aims of this series is to present a comprehensive survey of our natural history in relation to its background and environment. A first and vital consideration in a project of over fifty volumes is the study of man himself through the ages, against the very varied natural conditions afforded by the British Isles. A NATURAL HISTORY OF MAN IN BRITAIN is such a study. In the words of the editors, "we believe that it will contribute much to the outlook of man as one with nature, that alone can save our beautiful islands from wrongful changes, from the degradation and destruction which may result equally from unplanned development as from wrongly conceived planning." Surely no man, by academic training and subsequent studies, is so well fitted to undertake a review of this vast and complex field as Professor Fleure. His long association with the University of Wales at Aberystwyth and his later connection with the University of Manchester have given him distinctive viewpoints. It is now more than thirty years since he published his Human Geography in Western Europe and more than twenty years since, with the late H.J. Peake, he began that remarkable series of volumes, the Corridors of Time. We owe this book to a perfect combination of historian, anthropologist, geographer and naturalist. It is the fruit of a lifetime's gathering.

#19

Wild Orchids Of Britain

1951

A treasure for all lovers of wild plants – Wild Orchids of Britain provides a detailed account of all our orchid species, varieties and hybrids, and has a useful key to identification. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Now published in ebook format, with a complete set of new distribution maps from the Atlas of the British Flora, this beautiful book remains the standard work in its subject, a treasure for all lovers of wild plants. Dr. Dummerhayes, in charge of the orchid collection at Kew from 1924 to 1964, looks at our fifty-odd species in relation to the vast orchid family throughout the world, discusses their general biology and natural history in Britain, gives a detailed account of all our orchid species, varieties and hybrids, and provides a useful key to identification. The colour photographs represent every known British species with the exception of Orchis cruenta and O. occidentalis.

#20

The British Amphibians & Reptiles

1951

1969\. Fourth Edition. 322 pages. Illustrated dust jacket over green cloth boards. Gilt lettering. Contains black and white illustrations and plates. Clean pages, plates and illustrations with light tanning and mild foxing throughout. More pronounced to free endpapers and pastedowns. Hinges are slightly cracked with exposed netting. Binding remains firm. Boards have mild edge-wear with slight rubbing to surfaces and bumping to corners. Gilt lettering is bright and clear. Minor sunning to spine and edges with crushing to spine ends. Visible wear and bubbling marks to boards. Clipped jacket. Panels and spine have light edgewear with tears and creases. Minor tape repairs to interior jacket. Moderate tanning, water and wear marks to flaps, panels and spine.

#22

Climate and the British Scene

1952

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

#26

The Weald (New Naturalist, #26

1953

#27

Dartmoor

1953

Dartmoor explores the complex and fascinating history of one of southern England's greatest National Parks, an area of enormous interest to naturalists and tourists alike. The loneliest wilderness in England. This has been said more often of Dartmoor than any other part of our country. Traditionally in the world of fiction as well as that of fact, Dartmoor has been renowned as a vast empty moorland area, the property of nature rather than of man. It has always been the public’s idea of a lonely place. Not many generations ago it was regarded with a certain amount of awe. Nowadays it is one of our most important centres of recreation and an island up upland England of abundant interest to the naturalist. In 1951 it was nominated a National Park, one of the first of several places that have been so designated in Great Britain. This moorland-covered island of granite, once regarded as forbidding, now, to the most of us, romantic, rises inn the midst of a rolling sea of red Devon farmland. Here groups of devoted naturalists are attempting to west from nature some of her closely-guarded secrets. Geologists seek the true origin of the valuable pockets of china clay, or even of granite itself. Botanists delve into the relationship between the present vegetation and the relict fragments of native woodland which grow higher than any other woods in Britain. In contrast with the world of stranger isolation in the heart of Dartmoor, where the ponies roam and the black-faced sheep graze, is a fringe of lively villages like Widdicombe, whose very name spells romance. L.A. Harvey, skilled and widely experienced naturalist, Professor in the University College of the South-west at Exeter, has collaborated with the learned D. St Leger-Gordon to make Dartmoor a balanced and consistent book, full of new syntheses and original ideas. The ideal natural history book is that which shows not only wild nature, but man’s place in it. By this token, and many others, Dartmoor is such a book.

#28

Sea-Birds

1954

Sea-Birds introduces us to the sea-birds of the North Atlantic, an ocean in which about half the world sea-bird species have been seen at one time or another. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Few of the higher animals have successfully invaded the polar regions and the sea; but those that have - the whales, seals and sea-birds - have made a wonderful success of it. There are only about 250 true sea-birds in the world (there are over thirty times as many others); yet among this select 250 are some of the most numerous and well-adapted of living species, ranging from the magnificent albatrosses, with their powers of sail-planing, to the curious diving petrels; from the penguins to the auks; from the cormorants to the gulls and terns. The arctic tern makes the longest migratory journey of any known bird, travelling 20,000 miles between the two polar regions in the course of a year. Some sea-birds species probably spend the first seven or eight years of their lives without ever touching land; and one, the emperor penguin, never touches land in its life, for it incubates its egg on the Antarctic ice! This book introduces the reader to the sea-birds of the North Atlantic, an ocean in which about half the world sea-bird species have been seen at one time or another. Sea-birds are generally more cosmopolitan and widespread than most land birds; and it is no surprise to the ornithologist to find that the communities on the American and European sides of the Atlantic are very similar, most of their member-species being common to both. The authors of this book have spent most of their active lives in research on sea-birds, Lockley specialising in Life-histories, Fisher in distribution and numbers. Each has a long record of exploration of the remotest parts of the Atlantic coast and islands. Their felicitous collaboration brings home for the first time to the general bird-watcher and sea-going naturalist what enormous strides have been recently made in our knowledge of sea-birds. We now know the world population of several soecies, and can follow with accuracy the changes in the numbers of many.

#29

The World Of The Honeybee

1954

The complex and wonderful organisation of the honeybee has fascinated many naturalists and writers, but the New Naturalist is fortunate in securing for its library what is undoubtedly one of the finest and most comprehensive treatises on the subject. For many years head of the Entomology Department at Rothamsted, Dr Butler's own discoveries (particularly the existence of "queen substance") are truly remarkable, and readers will find the mysteries of bee life wonderfully illuminated by the simple and compelling manner in which he marshals his facts and theories. Skilfully woven into the book are the results of the work of others - such as that of von Frisch on the orientation of bees, and the almost incredible way in which information is conveyed about the distance and direction of food sources, by beautiful and extraordinary dances. The copious illustrations are all taken by the author and are marvels of close-up photography. This is a book of tremendous interest not only for the bee-keeper and entomologist, but for all students of natural history in general. Fully revised and up-dated, this new edition contains the finding of latest research, including the discovery of the sex attractant released by the queen and its function; and exactly how the piping sounds made by the emerging queen are produced.

#30

Moths

1954

#31

Man & the Land

1955

Man and the Land (Collins New Naturalist Series No. 31

#32

Trees, Woods and Man

1956

Ever since the first New Naturalist book was published the Editors have planned to devote a volume to British trees and woodlands. Mr. Edlin's book at last fills this gap in the series, and fills it with charm and authority. Every page bears witness to first-hand experience of what he is describing. After training at Edinburgh and Oxford, followed by a period as a rubber-planter in Malaya, Mr. Edlin had charge of felling and replanting in the New Forest - work which has given him an exceptional insight not only into the reasons for the disappearance in the past of so much of our natural woodlands, but also into the re-establishment of forests by modern methods. Since the war, Mr. Edlin has been engaged in editing technical publications for the Forestry Commission, and, naturally, he deals with recent controversies over the planting policy of the Commission. But Mr. Edlin's book is by no means confined to problems of afforestation and the supply of timber. He deals in detail with all our important trees and shrubs, both native and introduced, against the background of their natural environment; and also has much to say about their uses and about the woodland crafts - many of them dying out - that have been handed down from the past. A particular feature of this book is Mr Edlin's fine account of the past history of British Woodlands, from the close of the Ice Age to the present day. His fascinating description of the changing fortunes of our forests is marked by an attempt to look at woodlands from the special point of view of the men of each succeeding age, as influenced by their 'social' environment and available equipment. He points out, for example, that the early settlers cleared the best forests first because a savage with a stone axe realised that this was the quickest method of getting fertile land for growing crops.

#33

Mountain Flowers

1956

This is the first book ever published on the wild flowers of British mountains. Mountain Flowers to most people mean "Swiss Alpines". The popularity of the European Alps among British holiday-makers has undoubtedly caused the botanical riches of our own less spectacular mountains to be neglected. Mr. Raven and Dr. Walters have now made up for this neglect in a New Naturalist volume based on their personal experience of flower-hunting in the hills of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Lake District - as well as a wide knowledge of the scientific and historical back-ground of our mountain flora. If British alpines cannot boast the wonderful sheets of colour that attract thousands every year to Switzerland, the rarity and individual beauty of many of the species provide an excitement of a different, and perhaps more "refined", quality. Recent events have added a new edge to this excitement. During the last few years no less than five species hitherto unknown in Britain, or long thought extinct, have been found in Scotland, and the stories of their discovery are fully told by the authors. The collaboration of John Raven and Max Walters epitomises the present healthy state of British field botany, in which team-work between amateur and professional investigators is producing increasingly valuable results. Max Walters, joint author with the Botanical Editor of the New Naturalist volume, Wild Flowers, is curator of the University Herbarium at Cambridge and Director of the recently launched scheme, in which many amateurs throughout the country are taking part, for mapping the detailed distribution of the whole British flora. John Raven also works at Cambridge; he is a Fellow of King's College and is an authority on Greek philosophy. For many years he and his father, Canon C. E. Raven, have studied - and painted - British plants, and are now among our leading amateur authorities.

#36

Insect Migration

1958

This is a pioneer book, a real milestone in the progress of biology. Only in recent years have the scientists begun to realise the significance of the widespread distribution of the migratory habit throughout the insect world. Dr. Williams' own personal observations and adventures have played a fundamental part in the wakening of human consciousness to the extent to which insects migrate. His opportunities of studying the problem in remote corners of the world - such as British Guiana, Costa Rica, Egypt, Tanganyika and the Pyrenees - make the book as exciting as a world detective story. For Insect Migration deals with the subject on an international basis, with Britain - the home of the development of the present theories - as the natural peg on which a biological problem belonging to the world can properly be hung. From 1932 to 1955 C. B. Williams was chief entomologist at the Rothamsted Experimental Station. This book is the distillation of a subject which has occupied him for nearly the whole of his life. His theories are marshalled and summarised with modesty, economy and skill. The New Naturalist is honoured to publish what will certainly prove to be, above all things, the stimulus for new search and fresh discoveries.

#37

The Open Sea 2

Fish and Fisheries

1959

This is the sequel to the World of Plankton, the first part of Sir Alister Hardy's great survey of life in the Open Sea. It in fact deals with everything in the sea that depends on plankton. Once more it is the work of an enthusiast, written with the same lucidity and the same delightful style, both informal and informative, that was so highly praised when Part One was published. Indeed, to quote the Manchester Guardian, 'the author is a complete master of his subject and no comparable book has been published in this generation'. In addition to writing of the marine fish of our waters as living creatures taking their part in the general community of the sea, Sir Alister also deals with the fisheries as part of that general natural history. He deals with the animals on the sea bed, so important in supplying food for the bottom living fish, and with fish parasites. Whales and reptiles come within the book's scope, and there is a sketch of the development of fisheries research. The book ends with a discussion of the future development in the fisheries as a result of advances in technology and research. As in [Part One](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5117671.Part_One "Part One"), the 16 pages of remarkable colour illustrations are all from the author's own paintings and the 68 black and white photographs are mainly by Douglas P. Wilson.

#38

The World of Spiders

1958

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

#39

The Folklore of Birds

1958

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.

#40

Bumblebees

1959

This group of relatively large, colourful and familiar insects are a very popular subject of study because their behaviour can be observed without the use of elaborate equipment. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com This group of relatively large, colourful and familiar insects are a very popular subject of study because their behaviour can be observed without the use of elaborate equipment.

#41

Dragonflies

1960

1960\. No Edition Stated. 260 pages. This is an ex-Library book. Green pictorial dust jacket over green cloth. Ex-Library copy, with expected inserts, stamps and inscriptions. Pages are lightly tanned and thumbed at the edges, with light foxing. Binding has remained firm. Boards are a little rub worn, slight shelf wear to corners, spine and edges. Corners are a little bumped. Spine ends are mildly crushed. Light tanning to spine and edges. Boards are slightly bowed. Prominent forward lean to text block. Light wear to unclipped dust jacket with tears, nicks and creases to spine, edge and corners. Light tanning to spine and edges. Dust jacket attached to boards and protected by plastic wrapper.

#42

Fossils

1960

You can find fossils practically everywhere in the British Isles, and Britain's geological structure is so richly varied that in our beaches, cliffs, rocks and mud-flats are creatures and organisms of all ages, from pre-Cambrian times 500 million years ago down to the present day. The term fossil includes all organisms, or even their traces, which are permanently preserved in nature - petrified ferns and fishes of the Palaeozoic Age; bees set in a pine-tree's resin; a woolly rhinoceros, completely preserved in the frozen mud of Northern Siberia, from the furry covering of its body to the last meal taken in its stomach. There can be few things more fascinating than recognising and interpreting these relics of all stages of the world's evolution, and Professor Swinnerton has provided here an ideal handbook and guide for students of palaeontology and naturalists - or, for that matter, anyone who ever goes for a walk in the country or the sea-side. This is not merely a text-book - Professor Swinnerton is already the author of a standard work on palaeontology but in this volume he gives us a straightforward historical account of fossils; they are classified, described, explained and copiously illustrated with photographs and drawings. Starting from the earliest British fauna, he follows the evolution of plants and animals up to the appearance and culture of Homo Sapiens. At the same time, the author pays tribute to the great discoveries of the past, from Leonardo da Vinci to Cuvier and William Smith. Many of these were laymen, whom accidental finds prompted to go fishing in the Palaeozoic and Esozoic seas which form our land today.

#43

Weeds and Aliens

1961

This long-awaited book is more than a key volume in the New Naturalist series: it is a work of the first importance by the leading authority on the subject. For though Sir Edward Salisbury is best known to the public for his thirteen years' work as Director of Kew, and for his outstandingly successful gardening books, he has accumulated over years of study a first-hand knowledge of our weed flora that is certainly unique. While it is completely up-to-date, Weeds and Aliens is the result of half a century of observation and curiosity; it is likely to remain for a long time to come a standard work for botanists, farmers, gardeners and naturalists alike. The prime interest of many of us in weeds is how to get rid of them, and for different species in different conditions Sir Edward gives the modern methods of weed control - a subject that has been revolutionised in recent years by the discovery of selective weed-killers. But the scope of the book extends far beyond this practical business of control. How and why a well-managed garden plant or an introduction from abroad will suddenly become an aggressive weed, the history and geography of British weed flora and effects on them of social or agricultural changes, the distribution of weed seeds - by birds or aeroplanes, in grain cargoes or trouser turn-ups - every aspect is fully and clearly explained, with the biological peculiarities of the different species always in mind. The book is illustrated with photographs and with Sir Edward's own line drawings. The idea that because weeds are a nuisance they mist also be dull is dispelled in a few pages. Not only does the author show that an understanding of these criminals of the plant world will make their control both easier and more interesting: he also imparts to the reader something of his own delight and wonder - which is, after all, the principal aim of this series.

#44

The Peak District

1970

Lying as it does at the heart of industrial England, this area of intimate wooded dales, steep-sided gorges and windswept boggy moorland, is perhaps the most welcome of all Britain's National Parks; certainly, it is the most accessible, for within 75 miles of its border lives nearly half the population of England, and the rich variety of its scenery attracts tens of thousands of visitors yearly. This book is the general introduction to the region for naturalists. It presents a concise account of the Peak District's geological structure and history from ancient upheavals to the effects of erosion today - of its woods and wild flowers, its mosses and fungi, birds and fishes, roads and villages and farms, its weather and its rural economy. All this is obviously too much for one man to cover expertly, and the author, though he probably knows the geography of the Peak as thoroughly as anyone alive, has drawn freely on the help of his friends and colleagues at Nottingham University. These include notably Professor H. H. Swinnerton, the author of the successful volume on Fossils in this series, and Mr. R. H. Hall, who have provided the geological and botanical chapters respectively. To the many thousands of ramblers who visit the Peak District at weekends, summer and winter alike, here is a book by one who has trodden all the paths before them and is able to discover for them interests hitherto unsuspected to enhance their enjoyment. At the same time it is a survey of great interest to naturalists everywhere.

#45

The Common Lands of England and Wales

1963

The report of the Royal Commission on Common Lands (of which both authors were members) revealed not only the chaotic state of the laws relating to the commons but also the lack of information regarding their nature, distribution and extent. Some commons being shamefully misused, while some very large tracts are lying idle and serving no useful purpose either economically or for public enjoyment. In this book Dr Hoskins deals with the history of commons, and related legal aspects; Dr Stamp with the nature conservation. The list of commons and village greens are based on hitherto unpublished returns made by local authorities to the Royal Commission - covering the staggering total of one and a half million acres.

#47

The Snowdonia National Park

1966

Hardcover with jacket in good condition. First edition. With eleven colour photos and 52 black-and-white photos. Includes nine maps and diagrams. Plastic-protected jacket is lightly marked, tanned and edge-worn, with a few minor nicks. One to two centimetre tears on jacket spine ends. Slight marks and fading on hardcover. Hardcover leading corners and spine ends are lightly bumped and worn. Page block and pages are foxed. Front pastedown hinge is split but binding remains intact. Contents are clear throughout. HCW

#50

Pesticides And Pollution

1967

From an objective and scientific standpoint, Dr. Mellanby examines the problems of pollution of air, land, river, and the sea, by herbicides, pesticides, sewage, industrial effluents, gases, radiation, leakages, over-drainage, mistakes and mismanagement, in Britain to-day. He sets out to placate neither farmers nor naturalists, but to explain in each case what is happening, to point to both dangers and practical necessities, and to discuss what steps should be taken. Dr. Mellanby is Director of the Nature Conservancy's Monks Wood Experimental Station, was head of the Entomology department at Rothamsted, and for many years before that did research in medical entomology both in Britain and the tropics.

#51

Man And Birds

1971

Octavo,, PP.255, A New Edition Of This Book From The New Naturalist Series

#52

Woodland Birds

1971

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#53

The Lake District

1973

Covering the natural and human history of the Lake District National Park and adjoining areas. An authorative study for specialists, but also a book that is irresistable to walkers and amateur naturalists who care about an area so unique and vulnerable. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Between the Morcambe and the Solway sands lies this region of unique beauty, spectacular in the stark grandeur of its mountains; the lakes themselves - varying from Derwentwater and Windermere with their gentle shores and wooded islands, to scree-bordered Wastwater; the sheer crags of volcanic Scafell and Great Gable contrasting with the softer northern slates of Skiddaw and Blencathra; the coastal strip of limestone, sandstone and boulder clay with its deep piercing estuaries; the grassy uplands and lovely dales, and the steep, dark fells of Kentmere and Shap to the east. This book covers the natural and human history of the both the Lake District National Park and adjoining areas - their landscape, geology and glaciation; the bird, fish, insect and invertebrate fauna of lakes and tarns; the flora and fauna of becks and rivers; climate; soil and soil history; the ecology of woodlands, mountains, and fells and dales - the three main types of Lakeland habitat. The human history of the Lake District is traced from pre-history through the centuries to the present day, on the evidence of the archaeologist, the historian and the conservationist. Professor Pearsall, one of the most distinguished ecologists of our time, died in 1964. He left notes prepared for this book which his friend and colleague, Dr Winifred Pennington (Mrs T G Tutin), a member of staff and the Freshwater Biological Association, Ambleside, and teacher of botany at Leicester University, was able to use together with the help of experts on different aspects of the Lake District in writing this comprehensive book.

#54

The Pollination Of Flowers

1973

The methods by which pollen grains reach a stigma, enabling fertilization and seed production to take place, include some of the most varied and fascinating mechanisms in the whole world of living things. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com The role of insects in pollinating flowers is today a commonplace - so that it is easy to forget that its discovery is little older than the invention of the steam before that, we imagined that the concern of bees with flowers was simply a matter of collecting honey. But the methods by which pollen grains reach a stigma, enabling fertilization and seed production to take place, include some of the most varied and fascinating mechanisms in the whole world of living things. This book, an important addition to the New Naturalist series and to scientific literature, is a clear and thorough account of all the ways in which pollination is effected - by wine, water, even bats; but principals, in many curious ways, by diversity of insect species. The authors are both distinguished botanists - Dr. Proctor at Exeter University, Dr. Yeo at Cambridge - with a wide knowledge of insects. Illustrated with 134 of their own drawings, with 19 photographs in colour and 180 in black and white, the book offers a unique introduction to a complex yet easily accessible subject of great fascination.

#55

Finches

1972

This illustrated survey of finch behaviour is a thorough, non-technical account of the habits of these birds throughout the world. Greenfinches nest in plantations, large shrubby gardens and churchyards with lots of evergreens, thickets and tall hedges. After breeding, goldfinches forage on waste land, overgrown rubbish dumps, neglected allotments of food, and rough pastures. Bullfinches, in their breeding season, develop in the floor of their mouths special pouches in which food for the young is retained. These pouches open, one on each side of the tongue and, when full, extend back under the jaws as far as the neck, when they together hold about one cubic centimetre of food. Cocks of the Chaffinch and Brambling species sing in the breeding season to repel other cocks and attract hens. This illustrated survey of finch behaviour is a thorough, non-technical account of the habits of these birds throughout the world. Dr. Newton uses his extensive bird-watching experience and knowledge of the published literature to document the main patterns of feeding, development of feathers, breeding, and migration. As a result, he presents the changing relationship of the birds to their environment. The author is on the staff of the Nature Conservancy at Edinburgh, Scotland. His several scientific papers on finches have appeared in Birds, Journal of Animal Ecology and other scholarly periodicals.

#56

Pedigree

The Origins of Words from Nature

1974

320 Pages

#57

British Seals

1974

Pp. 256, 24 photo-plates (59 separate photos), 54 text-figures and maps. Publisher's green cloth, spine is lettered in gilt, color pictorial dust jacket, 8vo. This is the first American edition which was published the same year as the first British edition by Collins. This is New Naturalist series, no. 57.

#58

Hedges

1974

Though man-made, hedges are in effect long thin strips of woodland, a network across Britain of hidden pathways and refuge for much of our native wildlife. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com.

#59

Ants

1977

Ants should provide both the amateur naturalist and the professional zoologist with a valuable source of reference, and a fascinating account of the lives of an intriguing group of insects. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Ants have always exercised a fascination that extends beyond the world of biology. They have attracted the attention of poets and dramatists, and also of those philosophers and political theorists who have envied their apparent industry and rigid and complex communal organisation. The social life of ants is indeed extraordinary. It forms the basis of their entire lives; an ant on its own has no chance of survival. Ants are the only group of insects in which there are no solitary species at all. In this book Dr Brian, the country's leading authority on ants, brings together the results of recent research (much of it his own) into the zoology, ecology and social life of the group. Dr Brian begins by discussing the relationship of ants to other insects, their anatomy and physiology, and then turns to the different species of British ant (with an identification key), feeding, including aphid 'farming' and the specialised role of the workers in acting as travelling food containers for the nest itself, the rearing of the young and the different caste systems (including the life history of the queen), the ecological significance of ants, and the role they play in the lives of other animals. Particular attention is paid to the importance of communication in the ant society, and there is a complete section of distribution maps - one for each of the 47 British Species - compiled according to the latest available data. There are 16 plates of black and white photographs and two colour plates of ant species specially painted for this volume by Gordon Riley. This book should provide both the amateur naturalist and the professional zoologist with a valuable source of reference, and a fascinating account of the lives of an intriguing group of insects.

#60

British Birds Of Prey

1976

Octavo, 1989, PP.400,

#61

Inheritance And Natural History

1977

Ever wondered why primroses have three sorts of flowers; or about pesticide resistance in rats and mice, mosquitoes and green-fly; antibiotic resistance in disease organisms – all are examples of genetical adjustment, explained in this book. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com This absorbing book is about genetics as it applies to the world around us. Its main aim is to show the ways in which inherited variation can help to explain the properties of natural the differences between individuals, the extent and mechanism for transmitting characteristics from one generation to another, and the factors which control the frequency of a trait in a local group. It is thus of interest not only to naturalists but also to farmers and gardeners - indeed it is highly relevant to each one of us in the context of modern social planning. Professor Berry's explanations, combining laboratory techniques for the biochemical study of changes in cells, an understanding of modern genetics, and field observations by himself and others, are addressed not just to the earnest student but to all those who wonder why people or organisms differ - why snails are striped; why mice have longer tails in Scotland than in England; why primroses have three sorts of flowers; or about melanic forms of moths, spiders and ladybirds in industrial areas; pesticide resistance in rats and mice, mosquitoes and green-fly; antibiotic resistance in disease organisms - all examples of genetical adjustment. Professor Berry divides his working life between the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in Bloomsbury where he is Professor of Genetics in the University of London, and research on a wide variety of islands - Skokholm in Wales, members of the Faroe, Shetland, Orkney and Hebrides groups, and as far away as Hawaii and Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific and Macquarie Island in the Sub-Antarctic - studying genetical pressures on island populations. Illustrated with 110 drawings, 12 colour and 19 black and white photographs.

#62

British Tits

1979

British Tits (The New Naturalist Series No. 62)

#63

British Thrushes

1978

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#64

The Natural History of Shetland

1980

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#65

Waders

1980

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#66

The Natural History of Wales

2013

This book is an attempt to survey the natural history of the whole of Wales. It therefore covers such areas as Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons as well as the spectacularly beautiful Pembrokeshire coast and the less well-known but no less interesting areas of mid-Wales. Wales is a country of great geographical and biological diversity, a largely mountainous land whose eastern scarps overlook the richer plains of Mercia. William Condry is an acute observer of the potentialities of terrain, and particularly in respect of wildlife habitats. The author of the distinguished volume on Snowdonia in the New Naturalist series, he is the ideal person to write about one of the best-known and best-loved parts of Great Britain. This book is an attempt to survey the natural history of the whole of Wales. It therefore covers such areas as Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons as well as the spectacularly beautiful Pembrokeshire coast and the less well-known but no less interesting areas of mid-Wales. Describing each kind of terrain in turn, William Condry has explored and surveyed the face of this unique land as few others have done. Beginning with corries, crags and summits, he goes on to consider moorlands, mires and conifers. There then follow rivers, lakes and marshes; the native woodlands; limestone flora; farmlands, villages and estates; the industrial scene; and finally perhaps the most striking terrain of all, the coast. This encompasses polders, peatlands, beaches, dunes and estuaries as well as cliffs, headlands and island. Within each of these areas William Condry brings a wealth of experience to bear on the more obvious aspects of wildlife - flowering plants and ferns, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Important rarities such as the Snowdon lily or the red kite are, of course, included, but always with the intention of establishing a proper respect for their conservation. Affectionate and thoroughly informative, full of insights into local history and always a delight to read, this is a magnificent introduction to Wales and its countryside.

#67

Farming And Wildlife

1981

Farming and wildlife affect each other in many, often subtle, ways. Yet most recent developments in farming have been harmful to wild plants and animals. As the land is made to yield more, so rare species become rarer or extinct, and even common ones are now absent from large areas of the country. This timely and provocative book argues forcefully that wild species are, in fact, beneficial to the land as a whole: without them its productivity will fall and farming will inevitably suffer. The main changes in farming practice and their environmental effects are dealt with systematically. Successive chapters discuss arable cropping, grassland management, animal husbandry, hedgerow removal, land drainage and the use of pesticides. Considered also are the care of the soil and its inhabitants - important and often overlooked forms of wildlife - possible damage to livestock by diseases of wild animals, and the effects of hunting and shooting. Professor Mellanby writes throughout with an understanding of the problems of both farmers and conservationists. This is a most persuasive account of why they should now work together to preserve the countryside's fauna and flora. Professor Kenneth Mellanby is the author of the highly acclaimed New Naturalist volume Pesticides and Pollution. He is the Founder-Director of the Monks Wood Experimental Station, which was the main research station of the Nature Conservancy, Chairman of the Watch Trust, President of the Cambridgeshire branch of the Ramblers Association, and has for many years been closely involved in all aspects of farming and conservation.

#69

Reptiles And Amphibians In Britain

1989

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#72

Heathlands

1986

This is a book to enhance every heathland visit – whether you are a serious naturalist – or simply want to enrich you understanding of the countryside. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com 'Britain is unique in Europe in having such a wide range of heathland communities, and in the eyes of many, the wide open spaces - often beautified by heather and gorse - are the most remarkable feature of our countryside.' Our lowland heaths are a vital and precious habit, an absorbing area of study for every naturalist, with some of Britain's most appealing - and endangered - plants and animals, such as the Marsh Gentian, the Dartford Warbler, the Sand Lizard and Silver-studded Blue butterfly. They are the site of many of our most important Nature Reserves, and at the same time provide eminently accessible countryside, attracting millions of visitors each year. This is a book to enhance every heathland visit - whether you are a serious naturalist - or simply want to enrich you understanding of the countryside. Nigel Webb may be a leading authority on heathland ecology - but he tells the extraordinary story of how heathlands came to be, the influences of geology, climate, soils and man, and how the plants and animals survive and function - with tremendous clarity and insight. He gives a most rewarding and complete picture of the natural history of lowland heaths which will certainly satisfy the growing need to know and understand the balance of nature - so that we can preserve it for the future.

#73

The New Forest

1986

, 300 pages, index at rear, 20 colour photographs and over 100 photographs and diagrams in black and white

#74

Ferns

2013

Ferns gives the reader an introduction to the reasons for the variety of ferns in the British Isles, as well as the history of their development within this landscape and their use by man. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Ferns, horsetails and clubmosses, or to use their technical term the Pteridophyta, are a fascinating area of the British flora that ranged from the prehistoric-looking horsetails to the delicate beauty of the Aspleniaceae family (otherwise known as the spleenworts and familiar inhabitants of many a conservatory). Ferns are ubiquitous on this damp island, but often overlooked, overshadowed by the interest in the technicolour of our flowering plants. This book gives the reader an introduction to the reasons for the variety of ferns in the British Isles, as well as the history of their development within this landscape and their use by man. Taking each major habitat, Dr Page details which species of ferns are most likely to be encountered and why. Using numerous examples, he also shows how some species have become highly adapted to their environment using a whole range of strategies varying from the ordinary to the bizarre. Ferns follows in the distinguished New Naturalist series tradition of investigative natural history, drawing from the latest field studies and research, and is the most authoritative, up-to-date and in-depth survey of this part of the British flora available.

#75

Freshwater Fish

1992

An in-depth look at the fish that inhabit the fresh waters of Britain and Ireland. These include famous members of the salmon family, such as the Atlantic Salmon and the Brown Trout, and the obscure whitefish, species of which are confined to just a few lakes. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Fish have been a highly sought after part of the British fauna since Dame Juliana Berners wrote the first fishing book in 1486, but have long been overlooked by naturalists as a part of the British countryside. In this new volume in the New Naturalist series, Dr Peter Maitland and Niall Campbell, who have both spent a lifetime studying and catching fish, take an in-depth look at the fish that inhabit the fresh waters of Britain and Ireland. These include famous members of the salmon family, such as the Atlantic Salmon and the Brown Trout, and the obscure whitefish, species of which are confined to just a few lakes. The information that the authors uncover gives a comprehensive overview of the life cycle of fish, whether mundane spawning or the complex migrations of the Eel and Sea Trout, as well as details on diet, behaviour and ecology. The book also contains the most up to date identification key to both the families and individual species of fish, allowing every species of freshwater fish to be conclusively identified. As well as detailed descriptions of each family, there are also seven chapters on more general subject. These include chapters on fish conservation and the future of the fish fauna in our a sign of the change in status of fish from the pursued to the studied.

#77

The Soil

2013

The soil is one of the great unsung disappearing resources, with over 100m tonnes being destroyed every year. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com The soil is the work place of farmers and gardeners, but it is also a fascinating environment inhabited by insects that can leap into the air to a record height, multilegged scavengers that are vital to the decomposition of plant matter and the long, thin, entwining strands of thousands of species of fungi. Although soil plays a vital role in the functioning of the world, it has often been overlooked, mainly because it contains a huge range of different fields, all of which have become specialities in their own right. This book brings together specialists in these fields to give a broad overview of the staggering advances that have been made since Sir John Russel's The World Of Soil was published in this series in 1947. The first two chapters introduce the physical structure of the soil. The next four chapters deal with the specific animals and plants and how they exploit this environment. The final four chapters describe how these animals interact and how man has used and abused the soil in his striving to gain more and more from this resource.

#78

British Larks, Pipits And Wagtails

1992

The aim of this book is to review the British larks, pipits and wagtails. There are three broad introductory chapters on their emergence and range and on the characteristics of the genera. Single chapters are devoted to 11 separate species, while two cover the rarer migrants or vagrants on the British list. The last two chapters deal with the movements of the major species and the author's personal view of the current and future status of these birds in Britain.

#80

Wild and Garden Plants

1993

The aim of this book is to encourage botanists and gardeners to see their hobby as a common interest, and to throw some light on the origins of the plants found in British gardens. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com It may come as a surprise to many gardeners that remarkably few native trees, shrubs or flowers are to be found in British gardens. In fact, the British flora is very poor in yew trees and holly bushes are very much the exception to the general rule that our woody garden plants are exotics. Similarly, the wild flowers of our hedgerows and woods have contributed relatively little to the traditional British garden. Why should this be? Where have all these now familiar plants come from? Have they been domesticated from the wild or brought from abroad? The aim of this book is to encourage botanists and gardeners to see their hobby as a common interest, and to throw some light on the origins of the plants found in British gardens. There are chapters on the influence of genetics and environment on the variation of plants; hybridisation and sterility; native and exotic trees; shrubs and shrubberies; herbs, flowers and grasses; and other 'special' life forms such as water plants, carnivorous and parasitic plants. Vegetation today is the product of very complex interaction between man and his environment, and there is a discussion of the roles played by botanists and gardeners in this process. Finally the rise of ecology as a science is described, and the book brings us right up to date with a discussion of late twentieth century attitudes to 'wild nature' and to gardens

#81

Ladybirds

1994

Ladybirds provides a wealth of information about these fascinating beetles, including structure, life histories, food, enemies, habitats, distributions, colours and patterns, genetics and evolution. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Ladybirds are among the most popular of British insects. Their bright colours make them attractive and easy to find, and as most ladybirds are predatory, eating plant pests such as aphids, they are well regarded by farmers and gardeners. Despite their popularity very little information has previously been published about ladybirds. In this book Michael Majerus redresses the balance, assimilating a wealth of information about these fascinating beetles. He discusses their structure, life histories, food, enemies, habitats, distributions, colours and patterns, genetics and evolution. He sheds light on the phenomenon of cannibalism in ladybirds and the recent discovered of a 'feminist' bacterium that kills eggs destined to produce males, but not those destined to produce females. Finally there is a discussion on the use and potential use of ladybirds as biological control agents, how they are under threat from humans, and what we can do to conserve them. In the best tradition of the New Naturalist series this is the definitive work on the natural history of these delightful beetles.

#82

The New Naturalists

1995

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#83

The Natural History of Pollination

1996

The importance of insects in pollinating flowers is so well known today that it is easy to forget it was discovered less than 200 years ago; before that, it was believed that bees were simply collecting nectar from flowers. This is the most thorough and accessible treatment of a fascinating subject.

#84

Ireland

2000

Ireland covers all aspects of the natural history of Ireland, from biological history, geology and climate, through to nature conservation. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Another volume in the popular New Naturalist series, this book will cover all aspects of the natural history of Ireland, from biological history, geology and climate, through to nature conservation. David Cabot, an expert in his field, provides a comprehensive view of all the different types of habitats to be found in Ireland, from the peatlands and fens, to the mountains and uplands; from broad-leaved woodland to coastal zones. The book examines the history and ecology of each of these habitats, and describes the rich variety of flora and fauna to be found living there. In The Natural History of Ireland David Cabot also discusses the issue of nature conservation, addressing the history of the conservation movement in Ireland - its successes and failures - and the needs for the future. A fascinating and highly detailed study, this book will complement other published works on the natural history of England, Wales and Scotland.

#85

Plant Disease

1999

Between 1845 and 1851 one and a half million Irish men, women and children died in misery from starvation and disease; the result of potato blight, a fungal disease that destroyed their potato crops. A million more people, driven to despair by the succession of appalling harvests, emigrated, mostly to America. So it was that a plant disease changed the course of history, its economic effects causing not only social but also major political upheaval. Many plant diseases have had far reaching social and economic effects, so the study of these diseases is of interest and importance to scientist, horticulturists, agricultualists and foresters. The authors draw on personal observations in the field, and laboratory to discuss all types of diseases caused by fungi, from rots and mildews to rusts, smuts and tumours. The symptoms encountered in the wild are described, together with their causes. A final chapter discusses the diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.

#86

Lichens

2000

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.

#87

Amphibians and Reptiles

2000

Building on the foundations established by the two earlier "New Naturalist" volumes on this subject, eminent herpetologists Trevor Beebee and Richard Griffiths have brought together a wealth of new and fascinating information on the British amphibians and reptiles. An introductory chapter looks at the subject of biogeography and how factors such as geological history, latitude and climate affect ecology, life histories and behaviour. The authors then go on to discuss historical interest in amphibians and reptiles, from how they have featured in witchcraft and legends to modern perspectives. A third chapter covers basic biology of amphibians and reptiles, before each of the main groups - newts, frogs and toads, lizards, snakes and chelonians - are examined in further detail. A comprehensive account for each species covers behaviour, life history, reproduction and distribution, as well as ecology and conservation status, areas in which significant discoveries have been made in recent years. There is also a chapter with important new information on the burgeoning number of introduced species in Britain, such as bullfrogs, alpine newts and wall lizards.

#88

Loch Lomondside

2001

For centuries, Loch Lomondside has been celebrated for its outstanding scenery. The area supports a rich tapestry of water and wild land, forest and woodland, farmland and settlement. It includes architectural and archaeological features of considerable importance, and has been celebrated by many great writers including Walter Scott, John Ruskin and William Wordsworth. Loch Lomondside is one of the most popular countryside destinations in Scotland, attracting more than 2 million visitors each year. Over 70 percent of the population of Scotland are less than 1 hour's travelling time from the area. This book covers the history of the Loch and its people, forestry, agriculture and fisheries, the natural history, recreational activities, and conservation, past, present and future. It complements other regional volumes in the "New Naturalist" series.

#89

The Broads

2001

Broadland is set mostly in Norfolk and partly in Suffolk. The peat deposits in Broadland were dug in many places mainly during the 9th to 13th centuries. The pits eventually filled with water, giving us the Broads, 190 km of navigable water unimpeded by dams or locks. Before World War II, Broadland was the epitome of richness of water plants and their associated animals, and was of international importance as a diverse wetland. Sadly, much of the richness has now gone, and the significance of Broadland lies more now in its significance in environmental restoration. The problems faced by the Broads are being experienced world-wide, and devising ways in which the Broads may be managed to restore the previous richness has produced a strategy of value throughout the world. This book discusses the history of the Broads, the waters in the past and the waters now, the people who come into contact with and influence these waterways, and what the future holds for this small but important area.

#90

Moths

2002

Another volume in the "New Naturalist" series, this book is a comprehensive account of the diverse natural history of these fascinating and popular insects. Michael Majerus, author of the "New Naturalist" book "Ladybirds", examines all aspects of moths, from their life histories to their role as pests to humans. He covers their reproduction, feeding, evolution, habitats and conservation. The book also discusses the enemies of moths, and the ways they have evolved to avoid detection, including camouflage, warning colouration, and mimicry.

#91

Nature Conservation

2002

This volume provides a comprehensive study of wildlife conservation in Britain, concentrating on events in the last 30 years of the 20th century. The first chapter of this text considers the political and institutional development of nature conservation and reviews the physical and biological nature of Britain, its geology, climate and wildlife habitats. Subsequent chapters cover the loss of habitats and species, how these losses have been managed and the techniques used to survey and monitor the integration of nature conservation policies in industries from agriculture to forestry and fisheries. Marren continues by discussing how nature conservation has emerged from the sidelines to become a major concern. He addresses the role of the media, weighs up the successes and failures of the conservation movement and looks to what the future may hold.

#92

Lakeland

2002

the wildlife of Cumbria (Collins New Naturalist 92)

#93

British Bats

2003

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.

#94

Seashore

2004

A comprehensive, authoritative account of the natural history of the seashore, from earliest times to the present day. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com The seashore, with its endlessly changing tides, is one of the most fluctuating physical environments on the planet. Home to an abundance of animal and plant life, it is also one of the richest habitats the naturalist can explore. Here in Britain, we are fortunate to have a long and varied coastline, and our relatively large tidal ranges mean that our seashore offers a wide range of coastal habitats, including mud, sand, shingle and rock. In New Naturalist Seashore, Peter Hayward looks This narrow strip of beach between the land and the sea that we call the seashore, has always attracted man, in the early years as a source of food, and in Victorian times as a rich habitat that the early naturalists would explore. In this fascinating addition to the highly regarded New Naturalist series, Peter Hayward brings the natural history of the seashore right up to date.

#95

Northumberland

2004

A definitive natural history of Northumberland, from its ecological history, geology and climate to its naturalists and conservation issues. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience of the region, Angus Lunn gives a comprehensive account of several types of habitats and geographical areas, including woodlands, the Kielder Forest, moorlands, other inland terrestrial habitats such as montane and limestone habitats and lowland mires, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and ponds, and the coast. The book examines the history and ecology of each of these habitats, and describes the rich variety of flora and fauna to be found living there. Illustrated with over 100 black-and-white line drawings and photographs, plus a colour photographs, this is a comprehensive guide to an area of great natural history and interest.

#96

Fungi

2005

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.

#97

Mosses and Liverworts

2005

A long-awaited addition to the botany titles in the highly-regarded Collins New Naturalist series, this book covers mosses and liverworts, a group of about 24,000 fairly low-growing plants. This authoritative guide explains their ecological importance, how they can act as environmental indicators and their general biology. With full-colour illustrations throughout, it covers distribution patterns and dispersal mechanisms, their relation with climate, historical uses for mosses, and habitats. This is a branch of botany which has always relied heavily on amateur involvement, and the authors explain what amateurs can do today to increase our knowledge about these essential plants.

#98

Bumblebees

2006

A detailed and up-to-date account of the behaviour and ecology of bumblebees. This group of relatively large, colourful and familiar insects are a very popular subject of study because their behaviour can be observed without the use of elaborate equipment, enabling amateur and experienced entomologists alike to get close to these colourful and social creatures. "Bumblebees" is an entirely new addition to the increasingly popular New Naturalist series, and is written by an expert in the field. Ted Benton provides a detailed and comprehensive account of the lives of the 25 species of bumblebee found throughout the UK, which includes acclaimed colour photographs of the sexes and castes of all species, detailed photographs of the bumblebee habitats, detailed key to help aid identification, original anatomical line drawings, and the latest findings on conservation status and habitat requirements.

#99

Gower

2006

This is a definitive natural history of the Gower Peninsula, located to the south west of Swansea and often described as Wales in miniature. The area is unique in terms of the variety of the habitats and species that occur within its 188 square kilometres. As a result, it has a greater diversity of conservation designations than almost anywhere else in the UK. The natural history of Gower is like most parts of the British Isles - inextricably linked to the activities of man across many thousand years. In his study, Jonathan Mullard uses the evolving landscape and the effect that the associated changes have had on species and habitats as its core. The culmination of years of research and rich with the latest information and full colour illustrations, "Gower" is a valuable source of information on this diverse and fascinating area.

#100

Woodlands

2006

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.

#101

Galloway and the Borders

2007

Another volume in the widely-read "New Naturalist" series, this book is an in-depth study of the natural developments and history of Galloway and surrounding areas. Often overlooked due to the reputation of natural habitat in other parts of the country, the author here conveys the diversity and magnificence of nature in the south of Scotland. Galloway and the borders is an extremely varied region, from saltmarshes and shingle beaches to rocky islands and seabird stations. The wide range of hills, displaying a wealth of rich colours, give the area its dominant character. The varied selection of flora and fauna only add to the diversity.

#102

Garden Natural History

2007

How does a garden differ from other habitats, both natural and semi-natural? Is it true that the modern home garden is largely a collection of hybrids between exotic species? These and other questions are answered in this guide to plant fertilizing, watering, pest and disease control, pesticide usage, greenhouses, lawn mowing, digging, pruning, hedge clipping, protecting plants from wildlife and traps. It also points out the role of the gardener as a conservator and how the garden can be an inspiration for a naturalist.

#103

The Isles of Scilly

2007

About 30 miles south-west of Land’s End is the low group of rocks and islands that form the Isles of Scilly. Mysterious, romantic and beautiful, they have long exercised the imagination of story tellers and historians. In this New Naturalist volume she examines the many aspects that make the islands and their flora and fauna so unique: their geography, geology and climate, the people of the islands, the way they used the land, and its present day management. She brings to life the major kinds of habitats found in Scilly: the heath landsbird watchers, the coast, cultivated fields, and wetlands. She also discusses the people who have been important in the study of the island flora and fauna, and tells the story of the rise in popularity of the islands for birdwatchers.

#104

A History of Ornithology

2007

Peter Bircham looks at the history of British ornithology from 1066 to the mid-1970s, exploring along the way the first bird book written, the compilation of the original British lists, various notable collectors, the first studies of migration, significant changes to the classification of species, through to the birth of the British Ornithologists' Union in 1858 and what our current understanding of ornithology in Britain means to us today. This extremely authoritative and engrossing account packed full of fascinating stories, journal notations and poem extracts should hold great appeal to the wider birding community as well as the established New Naturalist audience.

#105

Wye Valley

2008

The spectacular landscape of the Wye Valley region has attracted visitors for more than two centuries. Picturesque with valleys and limestone scenery, it is one of the few lowland regions deemed an Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This insightful resource examines the diverse ecology, natural history, landscape, and history of the district. The study shows how—despite recent conservation efforts in the region—many natural habitats and wild species have suffered substantial losses. Comprehensive and thorough, this is an informative look at one of Britain’s most lovely locations.

#106

Dragonflies

2008

Dragonflies (The New Naturalist Library Number 106)

#107

Grouse

2008

Grouse and their habitats are of much interest to hunters and game-dog enthusiasts, and to the many others involved in outdoor recreation. However, grouse are also of great value in their own right as a beautiful part of nature. Recent research regarding government policies has clarified old problems and controversies, which makes this new study on British grouse timely. Adam Watson and Robert Moss offer some insight into the natural history and biology of British grouse species, ranging from aspects of behavior and historical relevance of their names to population fluctuations and conservation efforts.

#108

Southern England

2008

Harnessing recent developments in computer technology, the latest New Naturalist volume uses the most up-to-date and accurate maps, diagrams, and photographs to analyze the diverse landscapes of Southern England. Peter Friend highlights the many famous and much loved natural landscapes of the southern half of England, ranging from the Chalk Downs to the bays of Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset, and provides detailed explanations for the wide variety of natural events and processes that have caused such an exciting range of surroundings. Setting apart the topography that has resulted from natural rather than man-made occurrences, Friend focuses on each region individually, from East Anglia to London and the Thames Valley, and explains the history and development of their land structures through detailed descriptions and colorful diagrams. Illustrated with beautifully detailed photographs throughout, Southern England comprehensively explores the formation of these wonderful landscapes that are so universally admired.

#109

Islands

2009

This book is an in-depth study of the natural history of islands throughout Britain and Ireland.

#110

Wildfowl

2009

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.

#111

Dartmoor

2009

New Naturalist Dartmoor explores the complex and fascinating history of one of southern England's greatest National Parks, an area of enormous interest to naturalists and tourists alike. Dartmoor is said to be the loneliest wilderness in England. This has been said more often of Dartmoor than any other part of the country. Traditionally in the world of fiction as well as that of fact, Dartmoor has been renowned as a vast and empty moorland area, the property of nature rather than of man. It has always been the public's idea of a lonely place. Not many generations ago it was regarded with a certain amount of awe and nowadays it is an important center of recreation, an island in upland England of abundant interest to the naturalist. In 1951 it became a National Park, one of the first of several places so designated in Great Britain, helping to conserve and promote both its beauty and cultural heritage. Spanning miles of open moorland, while also hiding small secluded river valleys, rare plants and endangered birds, Dartmoor is a place of variety, and has evolved in the public's mind from a forbidding place to that of romance and mystery. Focusing not only on its extensive history and physical landscape, but also its cultural place within Great Britain, this is a comprehensive and engaging look at the wild and rugged landscape that has inspired so many poets, painters, and musicians over countless centuries.

#112

Books and Naturalists

2010

Natural history, perhaps more than any other pursuit or study, has always relied heavily on books. Without their basic function of enabling the different kinds of animals and plants to be described and illustrated in adequate detail, the subject could never have come into being and gone on to thrive as it does today. Though met with mixed responses from scientists and naturalists across the centuries, believing the world around them was to be purely 'known' and not read, books on natural history have also come to incite passion and excitement in so many of their readers, and illustrations as much as text have helped to propel this. To have the world around us neatly categorized and named has, to an extent, made it a less daunting place in which to live. In the latest book from the highly acclaimed New Naturalist series, Dr. David Allen explores the world of nature publishing through the course of history, from its very early days in the dawn of publishing, through various significant new discoveries and into the birth of the New Naturalist series itself, highlighting the extraordinary personal stories behind many seminal works. Natural history is an area that is constantly developing and improving as our own understanding of the world develops, and as this fascinating book explores, publishing is always standing by to record and present this to its readers.

#113

Bird Migration

2010

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.

#114

Badger

2010

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.

#115

Climate and Weather

2010

Following the publication more than 50 years ago of Climate and the British Scene by Professor Gordon Manley, leading climatologist John Kington presents subsequent developments and discoveries made in the study of British Isles climate and weather. Offering a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the diverse climate of the British Isles, this study examines the ways in which regional climates evolve from the interplay of meteorological conditions and geography of the British Isles, analyzes climatic characteristics, and provides a historical overview of changing weather patterns, which is complemented by fascinating and never-before published photographs. Reviewing the history and causes of climatic change and evaluating regional models, this New Naturalist volume offers an important analysis of climatic variations.

#116

Plant Pests

2011

Reviewing its subject on a crop-by-crop basis with particular reference to insects and mites, this guide covers a wide range of pests, detailing host crops, key pests, and the most interesting types irrespective of their status. Although emphasis is placed mainly on arable and horticultural field crops, pests of protected crops?both edible and non-edible?are also included. Details of the pests' life cycles, status, distribution, and the damage they cause are given, and natural enemies of pests are reviewed. The author also examines the impact of pesticides, climate change, crop management practices, and the on-farm landscape. Pests of cereals, oilseed rape and other oil and brassica seed crops, forage and fodder crops, potatoes, sugar beet and related root crops, field vegetables, and more are also discussed.

#117

Plant Galls

2011

A much-needed new study on growths on plants formed of plant tissue but that are caused by other organisms. The subject of plant galls is wide-ranging, and yet so little is known about the mechanisms that cause gall formation as well as the life cycles of the organisms that initiate gall growth. Since most galls do not cause any economic damage to crop plants, research funding has traditionally been sparse in this area. However, the insect cycles and gall structures are amazing examples of the complexity of nature. Most naturalists have come across oak apples, robin's pincushions, marble galls, and witches' brooms. These are some of the more familiar examples of the strange growths that are plant galls: beautiful, often bizarre and colorful, and amazingly diverse in structure and in the organisms which cause them. They have been known since ancient times; both the ancient Greeks and the Chinese used them in herbal medicine, and in later times they had a variety of commercial uses. Plant galls vary in size and structure from small bumps, pustules, pimples and hairy patches to large swellings and bizarre growths, nothing like any structure typically produced by plants. Margaret Redfern explores these fascinating complexities in this latest New Naturalist volume, providing much-needed insight into the variety of galls of different types caused by a wide range of organisms including fungi, insects, and mites. She discusses the ecology of galls more generally and focuses on communities of organisms within galls, the evolution and distribution of galls, and human and historical perspectives.

#118

Marches

2011

A complete natural history and the first large-scale survey of this unique part of the country. The borderland between England and Wales has long been a region of contention. Its distinctive geography, wedged roughly between Welsh mountains and English river beds has not only isolated this rural, sparsely-populated slice of land, but created a unique identity. Stretching along the bordering counties with England – Cheshire, Shropshire and Herefordshire – the Welsh Marches are made up of a mixture of mountains and moorlands, farms and wooded river valleys. The natural history of the region is like most parts of the British Isles – inextricably linked to the activities of man across many thousands of years. Andrew Allott brings together a wealth of material in the latest New Naturalist volume, much of which is published here for the first time. Presenting the first large-scale survey of this unique part of the country, he offers a complete natural history of the area, covering the hills, fossils, ice ages, meres, mosses, forests, streams and rivers, whilst also focusing on man’s impact on the region, the changing wildlife, the impact of agriculture and the consequences of past and present industrial action.

#119

Scotland

2012

Harnessing recent developments in computer technology, the latest New Naturalist volume uses the most up-to-date and accurate maps, diagrams and photographs to analyse the diverse landscapes of Scotland. Most people share an enthusiasm for beautiful and breathtaking scenery, explored variously through the physical challenge of climbing to the top of the tallest mountains or the joy of viewing the work of a painter; but while easy to admire from a distance, such landscapes are usually difficult to explain in words. Peter Friend highlights the many famous and much loved natural landscapes of Scotland, ranging from the rolling, agricultural lowlands of the east to the wild and rugged mountains of the west, from the whitewashed villages of Galloway to the traditional fishing ports of the east. He provides detailed explanations for the wide variety of natural events and processes that have caused such an exciting range of surroundings. Setting apart the topography that has resulted from natural rather than man-made occurrences, Friend focuses on each region individually, from the windswept islands that fringe the Atlantic to the sheltered straths of Perthshire, and explains the history and development of their land structures through detailed descriptions and colourful diagrams. Illustrated with beautifully detailed photographs throughout, Scotland comprehensively explores the formation of these wonderful landscapes that are so universally admired.

#120

Grasshoppers and Crickets

2012

A detailed and up-to-date account of the behavior and ecology of grasshoppers and crickets. In this latest New Naturalist volume, Ted Benton offers a comprehensive account of the appearance, variations, behavior, habitat, life-cycles, and distribution of all the native British species of bush-crickets, crickets, groundhoppers, and grasshoppers. Many details from direct field observation are included, which are published here for the first time. With up-to-date information on newly arrived and recently established species, as well as long-established non-native species—such as the house cricket and greenhouse camel cricket—Benton pays special attention to a key area of evolutionary thought that has stimulated an international research focus on grasshoppers and crickets. Recent approaches to mating and reproduction emphasise differences and even conflicts of interest between males and females. The sexually selected adaptations and counter-adaptations to such conflicts of reproductive interest are used to explain the astonishing diversity of reproductive behavior exhibited by grasshoppers and male territorial behavior, coercive mating, complex songs, elaborate courtship performances, the donation of edible "nuptial gifts," the reversal of sex-roles, mate-guarding, keeping of "harems" and, in a few species, parental care of the offspring. These chapters provide an introduction to the theoretical issues and an overview of many case studies drawn from research on orthopterans from across the world (but including British species where relevant). A unique DVD features many aspects of the behavior of nearly all British species, including song, conflict, courtship behavior, sex-role reversal, and egg laying. The book is lavishly illustrated with color photographs and line drawings, covering all the British species (including immature stages in most cases), key habitats, and many aspects of behavior.

#121

Partridges

2012

Globally, there are at least 45 species of game bird that have the word partridge in their name, but in this book G. R. Potts devotes himself to the Grey, Red-legged and Chukar Partridges, with particular emphasis on the Grey Partridge due to its well-known decline in Britain. In this groundbreaking addition to the New Naturalist series, Potts explores how mankind and partridges have evolved together, both ultimately dependent on grasslands rather than forests. For thousands of years, both ate grass seeds and this continued until cereals largely replaced them. Hundreds of species of plant and insect that partridges and other birds eat thrived on farms for thousands of years until the dawn of the pesticides era. Since then the long decline in partridge abundance has been a barometer for biodiversity over vast swathes of the Northern Hemisphere. Highlighting the positive example of the Norfolk Estate in the Sussex Study area, Potts investigates how both Grey and Red-legged Partridge numbers have been increased, flourishing in a highly productive and profitable system of farming and an oasis in what has often looked and sounded like a desert. In a small corner of England farmland wildlife is able to thrive much as it did before pesticides were introduced. This is a complex and fascinating story, with a heady mix of hunting, farming, predation, parasites, disease and climate change. The way these factors have interacted tells us a lot about how lesser known species have fared and how they can be conserved for the future. Potts stresses the importance of these conservation efforts, as farmers respond to the needs of an extra three billion people worldwide, not just for food but for bio-fuels. Additionally, the pressures on farmland wildlife will further intensify in the coming years. Reviews

#123

Terns

2013

This New Naturalist volume provides a much-anticipated overview of these fascinating birds – the first book on the natural history of British and Irish terns since 1934. Terns are small seabirds that are commonly seen along coastlines and estuaries in the summer months – their graceful flight and command of the air are among their most attractive features. Most of the five species of terns breeding in Britain and Ireland today are under intensive management, involving protection from predators, human interference, egg-collecting, recreational activities, land-use changes, and a range of issues concerning climate change, including rising sea levels and flooding of low-lying colonies. If these protective measures were abandoned then the numbers of terns would inevitably decline, with the possibility of several species ending up on the endangered list. Covering the history of terns in Britain and Ireland, David Cabot and Ian Nisbet explore these diverse issues as well as offering a comprehensive natural history of these stunning seabirds. Drawing on a wealth of new information and research, the authors focus on migrations, food and feeding ecology as well as breeding biology and behaviour. Perhaps most importantly, they highlight recent conservation issues and prospects, and what this means for the future of terns.

#124

Bird Populations

2013

In the latest addition to the New Naturalist series, Ian Newton explores bird populations and what causes their fluctuation – food supplies, competitors, predators, parasites, pathogens and human activity. 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 massive changes in land use in recent decades than at any previous comparable period. These developments have in turn brought huge changes in bird habitats and populations; some species dependent on the old landscapes declined, while others have increased. Over the same period, changing public attitudes to wildlife 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 as they are, and changed over the years in the way that they have. The regular watching and study of birds now provides a source of recreation and pleasure for very large numbers of people, while continued monitoring of bird numbers can also alert us to impending environmental problems. For all of us, a world with fewer birds would be a poorer place.

#125

Owls

2014

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.

#127

Nature in Towns and Cities

2013

The latest in the New Naturalist series documents the parks and green spaces unique to Britain's cities – and the wildlife that has flourished in these habitats. Not since Richard Fitter’s landmark publication in 1945, ‘London’s Natural History’ – volume 3 in the New Naturalist series – has there been a comprehensive guide to urban natural history. Since then there have been major advances in the conservation of nature in our towns and cities, and there is even more to say about how animals and plants have adapted, in varying degrees, to urbanisation. But this is not merely an exploration of natural history within the urban environment – David Goode uses his knowledge of urban ecology to describe the range of habitats and species which exist within urban areas, and shows how our understanding is being applied to encourage a greater variety of nature into towns and cities. He illustrates how an ecological approach can be incorporated within planning and design to create a range of habitats from tiny oases to extensive new urban woodland and wetlands.

#129

Alien Plants

2015

The word ‘aliens’ can be used in many ways, to invoke fear, dislike and fascination. For biologists it is used to indicate organisms that have been introduced by people to new territories. In the British Isles alien plants are common, conspicuous, pestiferous, beautiful, edible – and can be both useful and harmful. Over the last fifty years, the study of alien plants has progressed from an eccentric hobby, enabling amateur botanists to increase the total of wild plants that they could record, to the full-blown sciences of invasion ecology and alien genetics. Alien species no longer present an optional extra, but must be accepted as an integral part of mainstream botanical investigation. The amount and breadth of data that has been accumulated on alien plants in the British Isles is exceptional. The subject has become familiar both to naturalists and the general public, due to such diverse topics as damage to the environment by Japanese Knotweed and New Zealand Pigmyweed, the attraction of bees and butterflies to cities by such plants as Buddleja, the court cases involving Leylandii hedges, the threats to the purity of our native Bluebell by the mass planting of its Spanish relative, and the cultivation of new sorts of Christmas tree. In this important addition to the New Naturalist series, Stace and Crawley provide a comprehensive overview of the many plants that have become an integral part of the British wild flora and a unique insight into why alien plants are so important.

#137

Hedgehogs

1994

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.

Authors

William M. Condry

Author · 2 books

William "Bill" Moreton Condry MA, MSc (1 March 1918 – 30 May 1998) was a naturalist who was born in the Birmingham area. He was warden at Ynys-hir from its inception in 1969 when he was invited there by Hugh Mapin, the owner of the estate on which Condry and his wife Penny also lived, at Ynys Edwin cottage. Condry was one of the main forces in the preservation of the red kite. He also received an honorary MSc from the University of Wales in 1980. He wrote many guides and nature books.

Full name: Thomas Townley Macan.

Christopher M. Perrins

Author · 4 books

R.J. Berry

Author · 5 books

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Robert James "Sam" Berry FRSE FSB is a British geneticist, naturalist and Christian. He was professor of genetics at University College London between 1974-2000. He was president from 1983 to 1986 of the Linnean Society, the British Ecological Society and the European Ecological Federation. A Christian, Berry has spoken out in favour of evolutionary creationism, and served as a lay member of the Church of England's General Synod and president of Christians in Science. He gave the 1997–98 Glasgow Gifford Lectures entitled Gods, Genes, Greens and Everything.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name Ian Newton OBE FRS FRSE is an English ornithologist. (source: Wikipedia)

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name. Other authors publishing under this name are: John Mitchell John Mitchell (1711-1768 ) John Mitchell John Mitchell ( -1768) John Mitchell John Mitchell (1785-1859) John Mitchell (1786-1856) John Mitchell (1794-1870) John Mitchell (1870-1919) John Mitchell ( -1885) John Mitchell (1913-1996) John Mitchell (1918- ) John Mitchell (1921- ) John Mitchell (1923- ) John Mitchell (1928- ) John Mitchell (1930- ) John Mitchell (1936- ) John Mitchell (1948- ) John Mitchell (1964- ) John Mitchell (1967- )

Ronald Mathias Lockley, known in his published works as R. M. Lockley, was a Welsh ornithologist and naturalist. He wrote over fifty books on natural history. Read more about him from this BBC profile: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entr...

Frank Fraser Darling

Author · 4 books

Sir Frank Fraser Darling FRSE LLD (born Frank Darling) was an English ecologist, ornithologist, farmer, conservationist and author, who is strongly associated with the highlands and islands of Scotland. While working as a Clean Milk Advisor in Buckinghamshire, and longing for a research post in Scotland, Fraser Darling heard about the work of the Institute of Animal Genetics at Edinburgh University, and in the early 1930s the Director, Francis Albert Eley Crew, offered him a place there to study for a PhD. From 1929–1930 he was Director of the Commonwealth Bureau of Animal Breeding and Genetics, part of the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, at Edinburgh. In 1934 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Living at Dundonnell and later in the Summer Isles, Fraser Darling began the work that was to mark him as a naturalist-philosopher of original turn of mind and great intellectual drive. He described the social and breeding behaviour of the red deer, gulls, and the grey seal respectively, in the three academic works A Herd of Red Deer, Bird Flocks and the Breeding Cycle and A Naturalist on Rona. In 1944, the wartime Secretary of State for Scotland, Thomas Johnston, appointed Fraser Darling as Director of the West Highland Survey, tasked with gathering facts to inform future land use and management in the Highlands and Islands. His report, West Highland Survey: An Essay in Human Ecology, was finally published in 1955.

Charles Maurice Yonge

Author · 1 books

Oliver Rackham

Author · 5 books

Oliver Rackham OBE FBA was an English academic who studied the British countryside, especially trees, woodlands and wood pasture, Rackham wrote a number of books, including The History of the Countryside (1986) and one on Hatfield Forest. He also studied and published extensively on the ecology of Crete, Greece. In 1998 he was awarded the OBE for "services to Nature Conservation". In 2006 he was appointed Honorary Professor of Historical Ecology in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge. He was a Life Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and Keeper of the College Records. On 15 October 2007 Rackham was elected Master of Corpus Christi College until 1 October 2008.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. Richard West (Goodreads Author) - Vegan cookbooks and children's stories Richard West - Conservative American politics Richard West - Letters and poetry (1716-1742) Richard West - British journalist and biographer (1930-2015) Richard L. West - Communications expert (sometimes credited as Richard West)

Brian Spooner, now retired, was Head of Mycology at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

John Gilmour

Author · 1 books

John Gilmour, M.A., V.M.H. Former Director of the University Botanic Garden and Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.

Edmund Brisco "Henry" Ford FRS Hon. FRCP (23 April 1901 – 21 January 1988) was a British ecological geneticist. He was a leader among those British biologists who investigated the role of natural selection in nature. As a schoolboy Ford became interested in lepidoptera, the group of insects which includes butterflies and moths. He went on to study the genetics of natural populations, and invented the field of ecological genetics. Ford was awarded the Royal Society's Darwin Medal in 1954. Later, in 1968, he was awarded UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for the popularisation of science. Ford was born in Papcastle, near Cockermouth, in Cumberland, England, in 1901. He was educated at Wadham College, Oxford University, graduating in zoology in 1924. Ford never married, had no children, and was considered decidedly eccentric. Non-academic information on his life is hard to come by, mostly consisting of scattered remarks made by colleagues. He campaigned strenuously against the admission of female Fellows to All Souls College. Miriam Rothschild, an outstanding zoologist, was one of the few women with whom Ford was on good terms. Rothschild and Ford campaigned for the legalisation of male homosexuality in Britain. Ford was on good terms with Theodosius Dobzhansky, who did ground-breaking work on ecological genetics with Drosophila species: they exchanged letters and visits. Ford has a Royal Society biographical memoir, but there are few other sources on his life. Ford's career was based entirely at Oxford University. A.J. Cain said he took a degree in classics before turning to zoology. Ford read zoology at Oxford, and was taught genetics by Julian Huxley. "The lecturer whose interests most closely reflected mine was Julian Huxley. I owe him a great debt, especially for inspiration... Even though Huxley was... only at Oxford from 1919 to 1925, he was the most powerful voice in developing the selectionist attitude there... I met Ray Lankester through E.B. Poulton. He was already an old man... but talked to me a good deal of Charles Darwin and Pasteur, both of whom he knew."

Henry Hurd Swinnerton (1875–1966) was a British geologist, zoologist and paleontologist.

Douglas Francis St. Leger-Gordon

Adam Watson, FRSE, FRSB, FINA, FRMS, FCEH was a Scottish biologist, ecologist and mountaineer. He was one of the most recognisable scientific figures in Scotland due to his many appearances on TV and radio. His large academic output and contributions to the understanding of the flora and fauna in Scotland and elsewhere have been internationally recognised. Dr. Watson was widely acknowledged as Scotland's pre-eminent authority on the Cairngorms mountain range.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information. British writer on birds.

Norman Arlott is one of the world's leading bird artists. His books include Birds of the West Indies and the two-volume Birds of Europe, Russia, China, and Japan (all Princeton).

Edward Max Nicholson (1904 - 2003) was a pioneering English environmentalist, ornithologist and internationalist, and a founder of the World Wildlife Fund. He also wrote as Max Nicholson. Max Nicholson, as he was known to all, was born in Kilternan, Ireland, to English parents. His family moved to England in 1910, settling in Staines. He became interested in natural history after a visit to the natural history museum and later took to birdwatching, beginning to maintain a list of birds seen from 1913. He was educated at Sedbergh School in Cumbria and then Hertford College, Oxford from 1926, winning scholarships to both. At Oxford, he read history and visited Greenland and British Guiana as a founder member of the Oxford University Exploration Club. At Oxford, he organized bird counts and censuses on the University's farm at Sanford. In 1928, Nicholson created and managed the first national birdwatch survey, a survey of the grey heron.

Peter Bircham

Author · 1 books