Digitalt nytrykk av original fra 1988 (print on demand)
Forlagets egen omtale:
Many
birdwatchers may never have seen a skua; those who have will most probably have
vivid memories of one or other species flying powerfully past a headland, or
twisting and diving in pursuit of its piratical intentions towards a food-laden
seabird – or, perhaps more memorably still, of themselves taking evasive
action from the power-diving irate skua whose territory they have unwisely
invaded.
The full classification of the skuas is still debated, but Dr Furness of the
Applied Ornithology Unit, Glasgow University, favours six species, of two
genera, with five subspecies, based on current knowledge and his own long and
dedicated field studies and research.
All of the species are treated comparatively under the following chapter titles:
Early history and classification, Distributions and populations, Migration
patterns, Reversed sexual size dimorphism, Behaviour, Food and feeding,
Kleptoparasitism, Plumage polymorphism, Breeding systems and social
organisation, Breeding – laying to hatching, Breeding – hatching to
fledging, Population dynamics, Pollutants, Skuas and agriculture, Skuas and
conservation.
The text is supported by 100 maps and diagrams, 30 photographs and 65 tables. In
addition, John Busby contributes 35 evocative drawings which more than embellish
this erudite and readable summary of an impressive and diverse group of birds.
Jacket paintings by John Busby
