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The History of British Birds
Derek Yalden and Umberto Albarella
272 pages
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40 illustrations
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246x189mm
978-0-19-921751-9
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Hardback
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27 November 2008
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This item is printed to order. Items which are printed to order are normally despatched and charged within 5-10 days.
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- Co-authored by an ornithologist and an archaeologist, providing a balance of expertise.
- Indicates the extent to which climatic, agricultural, and social changes have affected the British avifauna over 10,000 years.
- Integrates a wealth of archaeological data.
The History of British Birds reviews our knowledge of avifaunal history over the last 15,000 years, setting it in its wider historical and European context. The authors, one an ornithologist the other an archaeologist, integrate a wealth of archaeological data to illuminate and enliven the story, indicating the extent to which climatic, agricultural, and social changes have affected the avifauna. They discuss its present balance, as well as predicting possible future changes.
It is a popular misconception that bird bones are rarely preserved (compared with mammals), and cannot be reliably identified when they are found. The book explores both these
contentions, armed with a database of 9,000 records of birds that have been identified on archaeological sites. Most are in England, but sites elsewhere in Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles are included.
Britain's most numerous bird is also the most widespread in the archaeological record, but some of the more charismatic species also have a rich historical pedigree. For example, we can say quite a lot about the history of the Crane, Red Kite, White-tailed Eagle and Great Auk. The history of many introduced domestic species can also be illuminated. Even so, there remain uncertainties, posed by difficulties of dating or identification, the vagaries of the archaeological record or the ecological specialities of the birds themselves. These
issues are highlighted, thus posing research questions for others to answer.
And the commonest British bird, then and now? Buy the book and read on...Readership: This authoritative reference work will be of particular relevance to students and researchers in the fields of archaeology and avian biology, as well as a broader audience of general ornithologists and natural historians.
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Derek Yalden, University of Manchester, UK, and Umberto Albarella, University of Sheffield, UK
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"This volume looks set to become the best modern reference for anyone wishing to know about the rich history of the British avifauna...It is both readable and engaging." - Birdwatch
"This book is well furnished with tables and distribution maps...i did learn much from it." - Scottish Birds
"Far and away the most comprehensive set of records to date. A fascinating book." - British Trust for Ornithology News
"The book is well produced and...should form part of any serious ornithologist's library." - British Ornithologists' Union
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Introduction
1: The Bird in the Hand....
2: The Early History of Birds in Britain and Europe
3: Coming in from the Cold
4: Farmland and Fenland
5: Veni, Vidi, Vici
6: Monks, Monarchs and Mysteries
7: From Elizabeth to Victoria
8: Now and Hereafter
Appendix - An annotated historical list of British birds
References
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The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory. Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.
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