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Contributors | November 10, 2009

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1 Beaverton Nature Studies- Ornithology
6 Burnside Featured Titles- Science
3 Burnside Ornithology- Species and Groups by Type
1 Hawthorne Ornithology- General Ornithology and Birding
23 Local Warehouse Nature Studies- Birds
20 Remote Warehouse Nature Studies- Birds

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Corvus: A Life with Birds

by Esther Woolfson

Corvus: A Life with Birds Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Ever since her daughter rescued a fledgling rook, Esther Woolfson has been fascinated with corvids, the bird group that includes crows, rooks, magpies, and ravens. Today, the rook, named Chicken, is a member of the Woolfson family along with other winged creatures. From their elaborate bathing rituals to their springtime broodiness and tendency to cache food in the most unlikely places, these corvids each share a bond with Woolfson that would have been considered rare if not impossible before this collection of essays.

Letting her experience speak for itself, Woolfson takes into account the science of bird intelligence, evolution, song, and flight. It is through this intimate lens that Woolfson invites us to reconsider the kind of creature capable of being man’s best friend.

Review:

"Shortly after settling with her husband and two daughters in a rambling Edwardian house in Aberdeen, Scotland, the gift of several pairs of doves inspired UK novelist and nature writer Woolfson to convert her new coal shed into a dovecote. The doves were followed by housebirds: a cockatiel for their daughter, a flightless rosella parrot the pet store couldn't get rid of, and a succession of unfledged birds rescued by neighbors. Woolfson learned how to care for everything from infant birds to elderly parrots with dysfunctional backgrounds; the menagerie eventually includes a swearing starling, a young rook named Chicken, and Spikey the magpie. Describing how her birds communicate (nearly all the house birds talk), she reveals distinct personalities and idiosyncrasies; she also discusses birds in the wild and natural history, and her neurologist husband is particularly keen on bird brains. The highly intelligent Corvus genus, including crows, magpies, rooks and ravens, fascinate Woolfson the most, and she transmits their appeal with startling clarity. Additionally, Helen Macdonald's beautiful illustrations add resonance to each chapter's subject. A satisfying read from a masterful stylist, this will appeal to any fan of nature writing or personal essays." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Product Details

ISBN:
9781582434773
Subtitle:
A Life with Birds
Author:
Woolfson, Esther
Publisher:
Counterpoint LLC
Subject:
Birds & Birdwatching
Subject:
Birds & Birdwatching - General
Subject:
Essays
Subject:
Birds
Subject:
Human-animal relationships
Subject:
Wild birds as pets
Publication Date:
April 2009
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
337
Dimensions:
8.14x6.32x1.17 in. 1.16 lbs.

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