Breeding Biology, Movements, and Persecution of Ravens in Iceland PDF Download

Author: Kristinn H. Skarphédinsson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Birds
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Author: Kristinn H. Skarphédinsson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 422

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Author: Derek Ratcliffe
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1408128640
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 351

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Book Description
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.

Author: John M. Marzluff
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300122551
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 404

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Explores the interactions between crows, ravens, and humans, focusing on the influence humans have had on the birds and the way crows have altered human lives.

Author: John M. Marzluff
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300167113
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 349

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Describes a 1988 three-year scientific project which studied the behavior of the common raven in western Maine, discussing the discoveries about ravens that resulted from the research as well as the personal experiences of the scientists involved.

Author: Sten Asbirk
Publisher: Nordic Council of Ministers
ISBN: 9789289301305
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 94

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Fullst.tit.: Population sizes and trends of birds in the Nordic countries 1978-1994. 88 s., hf., 1997. Engelsk tekst. (TemaNord 1997 ; 614)

Author: Francis R. McBride
Publisher: Oxford, England : Clio Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 396

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The Republic of iceland, situated near the Arctic Circle, comprises one large island and numerous smaller ones. Iceland became independent in 1944 and is a founder-member of the Nordic Council, and a member of NATO and the Council for Europe. Iceland is the most geologically active country in the world, with geysers, volcanoes, hot springs, glaciers, and spectacular waterfalls. This descriptive, annotated bibliography provides an updated listing of significant books and articles about Iceland.

Author: Edward Posnett
Publisher:
ISBN: 0399562796
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Book Description
In this beguiling work Posnett journeys to some of the most far-flung locales on the planet to bring seven wonders of the natural world--eiderdown, vicu-a fiber, sea silk, vegetable ivory, civet coffee, guano, and edible birds' nests--that promise ways of using nature without damaging it.out damaging it.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Wildlife conservation
Languages : en
Pages : 790

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Author: Michael D. J. Bintley
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd
ISBN: 178327008X
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 314

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Book Description
Essays on the depiction of animals, birds and insects in early medieval material culture, from texts to carvings to the landscape itself. For people in the early Middle Ages, the earth, air, water and ether teemed with other beings. Some of these were sentient creatures that swam, flew, slithered or stalked through the same environments inhabited by their human contemporaries. Others were objects that a modern beholder would be unlikely to think of as living things, but could yet be considered to possess a vitality that rendered them potent. Still others were things half glimpsed on a dark night or seen only in the mind's eye; strange beasts that haunted dreams and visions or inhabited exotic lands beyond the compass of everyday knowledge. This book discusses the various ways in which the early English and Scandinavians thought about and represented these other inhabitants of their world, and considers the multi-faceted nature of the relationship between people and beasts. Drawing on the evidence of material culture, art, language, literature, place-names and landscapes, the studies presented here reveal a world where the boundaries between humans, animals, monsters and objects were blurred and often permeable, and where to represent the bestial could be to holda mirror to the self. Michael D.J. Bintley is Senior Lecturer in Medieval Literature at Canterbury Christ Church University; Thomas J.T. Williams is a doctoral researcher at UCL's Institute of Archaeology. Contributors: Noël Adams, John Baker, Michael D. J. Bintley, Sue Brunning, László Sándor Chardonnens, Della Hooke, Eric Lacey, Richard North, Marijane Osborn, Victoria Symons, Thomas J. Williams