Book description
New Naturalist Wildfowl provides a much-anticipated overview of the
fascinating birds that have become icons of our diminishing wilderness areas.
Wildfowl - swans, geese and ducks - have been the subject of poetry,
fables, folklore and music, and a source of inspiration to writers,
artists, historians and naturalists alike. Historically, they have
featured prominently in our diet - more recently they have become the
most widely domesticated group of birds. Wildfowl have been
scientifically studied more intensively than any other group of birds
and were one of the first groups to highlight more general issues of
conservation. Their status as the most popular group of birds is
underlined by the success of the original Wildfowl Trust (now the
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust).
David Cabot has been obsessed with wildfowl for nearly sixty years. In
this seminal new work, he discusses the 56 species of wildfowl that have
been recorded either in a natural state, or that have been introduced
and now maintain self-sustaining populations in Britain and Ireland. He
focuses on their social behaviour, feeding ecology and population
dynamics, and in particular their seasonal migration patterns. He also
explores the evolution and history of wildfowl and our long relationship
with them, through popular mythology and legends, which continue to
fascinate us with a sense of mystery and awe. 'Superb photographs and paintings'
The Irish Times
Praise for David Cabot's previous New Naturalist:
Ireland
'Ireland is a monumental, near-definitive natural history of this
country … a valuable, scientifically-based, professionally-indexed and
accessible study …'
The Irish Times
'An outstanding reference work as well as a compendium of fascinating
detail. It deserves an honoured place on the library shelves of every
home and school.'
Sunday Independent Dublin
Praise for the New Naturalist series:
'The series is an amazing achievement.'
The Times Literary Supplement
'The books are glorious to own.'
Independent Dr David Cabot has been involved with nature in Ireland
for the last forty years, initially at Trinity College, Dublin, then at
the University of Galway and then in numerous government positions,
culminating in being the special adviser to the Irish Prime Minister.
