THE BIRD DETECTIVE: INVESTIGATING THE SECRET LIVES OF BIRDS.

Toronto: HarperCollins, 2010. 247 pp, large 8vo (9 1/4" H). B&w drawings, graphs, colour plates. "(The author) roams forests and jungles studying the social lives and sexual antics of birds. She reveals the curious reasons for their strange behaviour, bright colouring and elaborate songs, explaining the science behind their surprisingly sophisticated and often amusing habits. In the course of her research for (this book, she) affixed small backpacks containing geolocators to songbirds, which yielded headline-making revelations about the amazing speed with which birds travel when they migrate. (She) explains why some birds readily 'divorce', why parents don't treat their sons and daughters as equals, why many females sneak in quick sex with neighbouring males and why some adults forego breeding altogether. She writes about the territorial nature of birds and describes their nesting habits, revealing why some species choose solitude, while others prefer to live in overcrowded groups. Perhaps most importantly, she illuminates how climate change and other pressures of the modern world are forcing birds to change their habits as they fight for their very survival." Very small bump at top/bottom of spine, two very small shallow dents at top edge of rear board. Dust jacket has some areas of very light edge wrinkling, minor rubbing.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good +/Very Good+.