A Parrot Without a Name: The Search for the Last Unknown Birds on Earth - Softcover

Stap, Don

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0292765290 ISBN 13: 9780292765290

Publisher: University of Texas Press, 1991

Synopsis

Traveling with ornithologists John O'Neill and Ted Parker on two separate expeditions into the Peruvian rain forest, Don Stap gives a firsthand account of the gritty realities and unexpected triumphs of fieldwork in the South American jungle. He describes the thrill of discovering previously unknown species of birds--and the sobering realization that "progress" is fast destroying both habitat and inhabitants in the rain forest.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

The rain forest of Peruvian Amazonia is the ultimate place for bird studies; Peru, with 1700 known species, contains the richest avifauna on earth. Poet-naturalist Stap had the good fortune to accompany John O'Neil, who has identified more new species than any other ornithologist, and Ted Parker, who is regarded as the foremost authority on Peruvian birds, on two expeditions into a wilderness where scientists had never been before. Reaching the study site was an adventure in itself, but there is more. Stap profiles O'Neill and Parker, and gives us a fine picture of ornithologists in the field. He explains the necessity of killing birds for taxonomic studies. The expedition discovered a new small parrot, hence the title. This book will have strong appeal to birders and readers who thirst for adventure. Macmillan Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

One might think that all the world's birds must have been spotted already, but new species keep appearing, particularly in the Amazon Basin. Louisiana State University ornithologist John O'Neill, for example, has described 12 new species since 1963. Amateur birder Stap analyzes the work of O'Neill and his frequent collaborator, Ted Parker, realistically presenting both the rewards and frustrations of zoological field work today. Much of the book is a fascinating firsthand account of an expedition to Peru which the author joined for several weeks in June 1987, the climax of which was the discovery of the new parrot species of the title. Frank, informative, and sometimes disturbing, this is a good choice for popular science collections. Macmillan Book Clubs alternate selection.
- Paul B. Cors, Univ. of Wyoming Lib., Laramie
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0292765290
• ISBN 13: 9780292765290
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 255