Birds' Eggs and Nests - A Simple Guide to Identify the Nests of Common British Birds

By S. N. Sedgwick

This book comprises a simple guide to the identification of the nests of common British birds. This antique text was published separately from the book to which it belongs ('The Young People's Nature-Study Book') in the hope that it would prove of some value on its own. It is aimed at young readers upon their rambles in spring, enabling them to identify the birds to which nests belong - without tedious taxonomical analysis. The perfect text for amateur ornithologists, this lovely little book makes a great addition to any collection of bird watching literature. The chapters of this book include: 'Nests Unmistakable - With Characteristic Shapes, or Eggs of Special Colours'; 'Nests Built on the Ground of Birds as Big as a Skylark and Larger'; 'Large Nests found Chiefly in Trees'; 'Nests in Holes, in Trees or Banks'; 'Nests found upon or near Fresh Water'; 'Nests of Common Sea-birds'; 'Nests Generally Built in Rushes, Hedges, etc.'; 'Small Birds' Nests that may be found near Water in Marshy Places'; et cetera. We are proud to republish this text here complete with a new introduction to ornithology.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Aug 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781473355958

Book preview

BIRDS’ EGGS AND NESTS

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO IDENTIFY THE

NESTS OF COMMON BRITISH BIRDS

BY

S. N. SEDGWICK, M.A.

AUTHOR OF

‘THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S NATURE STUDY BOOK,’ ETC.

Copyright © 2013 Read Books Ltd.

This book is copyright and may not be

reproduced or copied in any way without

the express permission of the publisher in writing

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the

British Library

CONTENTS

Ornithology

FOREWORD

BIRDS’ EGGS AND NESTS

Ornithology

Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Etymologically, the word ‘ornithology’ derives from the ancient Greek ὄρνιζ ornis (bird) and λóγoζ logos (rationale or explanation). The science of ornithology has a long history and studies on birds have helped develop several key concepts in evolution, behaviour and ecology such as the definition of species, the process of speciation, instinct, learning, ecological niches and conservation. Whilst early ornithology was principally concerned with descriptions and distributions of species, ornithologists today seek answers to very specific questions, often using birds as models to test hypotheses or predictions based on theories.