Download or read book The Raven written by Derek Ratcliffe and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2010-01-31 with total page 351 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Raven presents a summary of knowledge of its natural history, describing its distribution, feeding habits, association with other animals, and breeding. The Raven is one of the most spectacular and romantic of British birds, but relatively neglected in the modern literature of ornithology. Derek Ratcliffe here presents a thorough summary of our knowledge of its natural history, emphasizing the long association of the bird with humankind. The place of the Raven in myth, legend and history is long established, and this book describes the bird's fall from grace as a valued scavenger in medieval cities to a persecuted outcast in the modern wilds. The previous wide occurrence of Ravens is reviewed against the relationships between their present distribution, status and habitat requirements, as both a nesting and a non-breeding resident. The dependence of Ravens on carrion (especially sheep) within an omnivorous diet is the key to the species' ecology, and its social behaviour has evolved in close relation to this lifestyle. The flocking and communal roosting of non-breeders are major features of Raven behaviour, while their nesting habits emphasise the territorial nature of breeding birds and their adaptation to secure but harsh environments. Raven numbers vary in relation to their food supply, local populations adjusting accordingly, although the precise mechanism involved is still obscure. Ravens have a considerable capacity for recolonising old haunts when suitable conditions are restored, as well as exploiting new areas where the habitat becomes favourable, and there are local success stories to tell. Nationwide, however, the species' position is delicately balanced and depends on both sympathetic land management practices and improving attitudes to Ravens as friends not foe. Worldwide, Ravens are one of the most successful of all bird groups, occurring over a large part of the northern hemisphere, and replaced in some southern and tropical regions by other raven species which exploit the familiar raven niche in their own environments. The discussion of the northern hemisphere species is enlivened by reference to other species where useful. Finally, the Raven's age-old reputation for high intelligence is weighed critically against the available evidence. Today, Ravens carry a new omen in the modern world, as a barometer of goodwill to wildlife. Like those in the Tower of London, the continued existence of Ravens in our wild countryside will reveal something about both our current situation and our prospects for the future. The text is brought to life through wonderful illustrations by Chris Rose.

Download or read book The Ravenmaster written by Christopher Skaife and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2018-10-02 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For centuries, the Tower of London has been home to a group of famous avian residents: the ravens. Each year they are seen by millions of visitors, and they have become as integral a part of the Tower as its ancient stones. But their role is even more important than that—legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower will crumble into dust and great harm will befall the kingdom. The responsibility for ensuring that such a disaster never comes to pass falls to one man: the Ravenmaster. The current holder of the position is Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, and in this fascinating, entertaining and touching book he memorably describes the ravens’ formidable intelligence, their idiosyncrasies and their occasionally wicked sense of humour. The Ravenmaster is a compelling, inspiring and irreverent story that will delight and surprise anyone with an interest in British history or animal behaviour.

Download or read book Mind of the Raven written by Bernd Heinrich and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2009-10-13 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Heinrich involves us in his quest to get inside the mind of the raven. But as animals can only be spied on by getting quite close, Heinrich adopts ravens, thereby becoming a "raven father," as well as observing them in their natural habitat. He studies their daily routines, and in the process, paints a vivid picture of the ravens' world. At the heart of this book are Heinrich's love and respect for these complex and engaging creatures, and through his keen observation and analysis, we become their intimates too. Heinrich's passion for ravens has led him around the world in his research. Mind of the Raven follows an exotic journey—from New England to Germany, and from Montana to Baffin Island in the high Arctic—offering dazzling accounts of how science works in the field, filtered through the eyes of a passionate observer of nature. Each new discovery and insight into raven behavior is thrilling to read, at once lyrical and scientific.

Download or read book Featherhood written by Charlie Gilmour and published by Scribner. This book was released on 2021-01-05 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “I loved every single page.” —Elton John “The best piece of nature writing since H is for Hawk.” —Neil Gaiman ​In this moving, critically acclaimed memoir, a young man saves a baby magpie as his estranged father is dying, only to find that caring for the mischievous bird saves him. One spring day, a baby magpie falls out of its nest and into Charlie Gilmour’s hands. Magpies, he soon discovers, are as clever and mischievous as monkeys. They are also notorious thieves, and this one quickly steals his heart. By the time the creature develops shiny black feathers that inspire the name Benzene, Charlie and the bird have forged an unbreakable bond. While caring for Benzene, Charlie learns his biological father, an eccentric British poet named Heathcote Williams who vanished when Charlie was six months old, is ill. As he grapples with Heathcote’s abandonment, Charlie comes across one of his poems, in which Heathcote describes how an impish young jackdaw fell from its nest and captured his affection. Over time, Benzene helps Charlie unravel his fears about repeating the past—and embrace the role of father himself. A bird falls, a father dies, a child is born. Featherhood is the unforgettable story of a love affair between a man and a bird. It is also a beautiful and affecting memoir about childhood and parenthood, captivity and freedom, grief and love.

Download or read book Notes on the Crow Family of Birds Including the Raven the Carrion Crow and the Rook written by C. E. Dyson and published by Read Books Ltd. This book was released on 2013-01-03 with total page 21 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This vintage book contains an comprehensive and informative treatise on the crow family of birds, with information on the raven, the carrion crow, and the rook. Included in this volume are historical notes, anecdotal evidence, and a wealth of other interesting and useful information on the subject. It is highly recommended for those with an interest in ornithology, and would make for a great addition to collections of related literature. Although old, the information contained herein is timeless, and will be of as much utility to contemporary readers as it was when first published. Many antiquarian books such as this are increasingly hard to come by and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high quality edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on aviculture.

Download or read book Wallace s Monthly written by John Hankins Wallace and published by . This book was released on 1881 with total page 974 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The New American Third Reader written by Epes Sargent and published by . This book was released on 1871 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Annals and Magazine of Natural History written by and published by . This book was released on 1842 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Annals and Magazine of Natural History written by and published by . This book was released on 1842 with total page 590 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Snow Queen Adventure in the Frozen Kingdom written by Mitchell Perkins and published by Caliber Comics. This book was released on 2019-08-19 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on the Hans Christian Andersen classic story. A young boy, Kay, is captivated by a striking image that appears in his frozen window. It is the hauntingly beautiful woman who travels on the winter wind...the icy maiden known as the Snow Queen. An obsession seizes Kay and one day he disappears with the spectral goddess. But is friend, Gerda, refuses to let him go...and she embarks on a dangerous quest to bring him back.

Download or read book Neighbors with Wings and Fins and Some Others written by James Johonnot and published by . This book was released on 1886 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Taming the Duke s Heart Taming a Duke s Heart Books 1 3 written by Tammy Andresen and published by Swift Romance Publishing. This book was released on 2017-10-10 with total page 534 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Taming the Duke’s Heart See what it means to tame two dukes and a laird from the bestselling series, Taming the Heart. Also, enjoy some bonus material with tantalizing glimpses into the future of Taming the Duke's Heart. Taming a Duke's Reckless Heart Piper Baker’s mother is gravely ill and they are about to be destitute. With both time and money running out, marriage is her only option. While suitors swirl around her, none capture her heart until Barrett Maddox, Duke of Manchester, saves her from a band of thieves. But the one man she wants is the only one she cannot have. Barrett Maddox has few rules for his life, but one of them is to stay far away from marriageable virgins. That is until he rescue’s Piper with her auburn hair and spunky fortitude. For some unknown and insane reason, he agrees to her mother’s request to help broker her on the marriage market of New York. Moreover, while he will easily ward off any unwanted suitors, he cannot imagine how he will keep his hands to himself? As their lives become more tangled, the question becomes… Is there anything more reckless than love? Taming a Duke's Wild Rose Since the death of her mother, Lady Rose Wentworth has dreamed of a hero. A knight or soldier who sweeps her off her feet and heals the scars she hides within. These fantasies cloud her judgement when it comes to a man’s true nature and every suitor she pines for proves to be less than honorable. But Rose is convinced she has finally found a true hero in the soldier, Carl Lundberg. Fearing for Rose’s future, her father arranges a match with the scarred duke. Powerful and rich beyond reason, Lord Wentworth is convinced this is the man who can provide a real future for his daughter. But Rose knows better, or so she thinks. Now she is caught between two men, one handsome and dashing, the other scarred but intriguing none-the-less. As each vies for her hand, Rose finds it more difficult to discern whose intentions are pure. The more Rose is entangled in the web of love and marriage the more she questions which man has the true heart and who can unlock hers. Taming a Laird's Wild Lady Miss Isabelle Maddox, known as Isla, has never been one to follow rules. She would much rather a reckless ride on horseback than a dance in a ballroom but her father has very different ideas about her future. To further the families’ fortune, he would see her married to a Scottish lord. Isla fears this will be the end of the life she treasures above all else. Gavin Campbell will never marry again. His past has taught him well, his first wife’s spending has him teetering on the edge of financial ruin. Marriage is a disease, or so he thought until the headstrong Isla starts seeping into is heart and he begins to wonder if a woman like her might actually be a cure. Can Isla’s wild ways tame this laird’s heart?

Download or read book Taming Angelina written by Helen Hardt and published by Waterhouse Press. This book was released on 2016-02-18 with total page 203 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Editorial Reviews "This series is a MUST READ. " -United Indie Book Blog "A romance of explosive proportions!" -The Book Fairy Reviews Synopsis Learn to run the family estate? Angelina Bay would rather be caught wearing last season’s fashions. But if she doesn’t, her father says she can kiss her inheritance goodbye. Teach a spoiled heiress how to ride a horse? Not in this lifetime. Rafe Grayhawk is busy enough working and saving every extra penny to fund his chronically ill father’s move to Arizona—until beautiful Angelina makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Rafe’s rules are simple—show up on time for lessons and do everything he tells her. Angie balks at authority, but soon riding lessons with the handsome hand are the least of her problems. She may lose her inheritance anyway, and Rafe is the only person who can help her.

Download or read book Taming of the shrew Winter s tale Comedy of errors Macbeth written by William Shakespeare and published by . This book was released on 1805 with total page 536 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Raven Illustrated written by Edgar Allan Poe and published by Top Five Books LLC. This book was released on 2013-09-13 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Top Five Classics illustrated edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven includes: • All 25 illustrations by Gustave Doré for Harper & Brothers’ 1884 edition • An informative Introduction • A detailed Biography of Edgar Allan Poe • The illustrated version and text-only version of the full poem No poem has ever received the kind of immediate and overwhelming response that Poe’s “The Raven” did when it first appeared in the New York Evening Mirror on January 29, 1845. It made Poe an overnight sensation (though his great fame never brought him much wealth) and the poem, a powerfully haunting elegy to lost love, remains one of the most beloved and recognizable verses in the English language. The illustrations that accompany this Top Five Classics edition are reproductions of the renowned French artist Gustave Doré’s steel-plate engravings created for Harper & Brothers’ 1884 release of The Raven. It would be Doré’s last commission as he died shortly after completing the 25 illustrations in January 1883. His illustrations would become famous in their own right, evoking as they do the lyrical and mystical air of Poe’s masterpiece.

Download or read book A Supplement to Dodsley s Old Plays The taming of a shrew First sketch of the Merry wives of Windsor First sketches of second and third parts of Henry VI True tragedy of Richard III written by Thomas Amyot and published by . This book was released on 1853 with total page 736 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Taming Manhattan written by Catherine McNeur and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2014-11-03 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: George Perkins Marsh Prize, American Society for Environmental History VSNY Book Award, New York Metropolitan Chapter of the Victorian Society in America Hornblower Award for a First Book, New York Society Library James Broussard Best First Book Prize, Society for Historians of the Early American Republic With pigs roaming the streets and cows foraging in the Battery, antebellum Manhattan would have been unrecognizable to inhabitants of today’s sprawling metropolis. Fruits and vegetables came from small market gardens in the city, and manure piled high on streets and docks was gold to nearby farmers. But as Catherine McNeur reveals in this environmental history of Gotham, a battle to control the boundaries between city and country was already being waged, and the winners would take dramatic steps to outlaw New York’s wild side. “[A] fine book which make[s] a real contribution to urban biography.” —Joseph Rykwert, Times Literary Supplement “Tells an odd story in lively prose...The city McNeur depicts in Taming Manhattan is the pestiferous obverse of the belle epoque city of Henry James and Edith Wharton that sits comfortably in many imaginations...[Taming Manhattan] is a smart book that engages in the old fashioned business of trying to harvest lessons for the present from the past.” —Alexander Nazaryan, New York Times