Grouse: The Natural History of British and Irish Species (The New Naturalist Library) - Softcover

Watson, Adam; Moss, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007150989 ISBN 13: 9780007150984

Publisher: Harpercollins Pub Ltd, 2008

Synopsis

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, if not essential. 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.

About this title

About the Author:

Aged 13, Adam Watson saw his first ptarmigan on a lone climb to Derry Cairngorm in 1943 and began to record numbers, and in the winter of 1951/2 studied them there for an honours degree at Aberdeen University. He has studied black grouse, capercaillie and Irish red grouse, and accompanied ecologists on their fieldwork in Iceland, Norway and Alaska. Robert Moss graduated in honours biochemistry at University College London. He showed a keen interest in chemical aspects of the work on red grouse and has worked on red grouse, and also on ptarmigan, black grouse and capercaillie in Scotland. Abroad, he has studied Icelandic ptarmigan, and rock, willow and white-tailed ptarmigan, during a year based at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

Review:

Praise for the New Naturalist series: A History of Ornithology by Peter Bircham: 'Bircham has found for himself a distinctive ecological niche by dwelling on the evolving science, rather than ornithology as social process or field activity ! he has produced a thorough and valuable contribution to the field' Mark Cocker, The Guardian 'This book has set a benchmark for future histories on this subject, though I'm guessing that there won't be many books that come along in the near future that offer a serious alternative to this extremely well-balanced and studious work.' Birdwatch The Isles of Scilly by Rosemary Parslow: 'This is a fully rounded and wonderfully detailed natural history of England's only ocean archipelago. It works on several levels, as a guide, as a wildlife encyclopaedia and as a lyrical celebration of a special place. Rosemary Parslow has written a classic book to add to the remarkable swell of New Naturalist masterpieces in recent years.' British Wildlife

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Pub Ltd
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0007150989
• ISBN 13: 9780007150984
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 529