China Cuckoo

China Cuckoo PDF Author: Mark Kitto
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 1742662013
Category : British
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description

China Cuckoo

China Cuckoo PDF Author: Mark Kitto
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 1742662013
Category : British
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description


Cuckoos, Cowbirds and Other Cheats

Cuckoos, Cowbirds and Other Cheats PDF Author: Nick Davies
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1408135868
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 331

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Book Description
This fascinating study describes the natural histories of these brood parasites and examines many of the exciting questions they raise about the evolution of cheating and the arms race between parasites and their prey. Brood parasites fill their armoury with adaptations including exquisite egg mimicry, rapid laying, ejection of host eggs, murder of host young, chick mimicry and manipulative begging behaviour: ploys shown by recent research to have evolved in response to host defence behaviour or through competition among the parasites themselves. While many host species appear defenceless, accepting parasite eggs quite unlike their own, many are more discriminating against odd-looking eggs and some have evolved the ability to discriminate against odd-looking chicks as well. How is this arms race conducted? Will defenceless hosts develop defences in time, or are there constraints which limit the evolution and perfection of host defences? And why are so few species obliged only to lay eggs in host nests? Have host defences limited the success of brood parasitism, or is it in fact much more common than we suspect, but occurring mainly when birds parasitize the nest of their own kind? All of these puzzles are examined in descriptions of the natural history of each of the groups of parasites in turn. Here is a book with wide appeal, both to amateur naturalists fascinated by this most singular and macabre of behaviours and by ornithologists and ecologists interested in the evolution of ecology and behaviour. The story takes us from the classic field work by pioneer ornithologists such as Edgar Chance, Stuart Baker, Herbert Friedmann and others, through to the experimental field work and molecular techniques of today's leading scientists. We visit brood parasites in Europe, Asia, Japan, Africa, Australasia, and North and South America, to look at some of the world's most interesting birds and some of biology's most interesting questions, many of which still beg answers from ornithologists in the future. Brilliant illustrations by David Quinn illuminate the species discussed, showing many behaviours never before illustrated and conveying the thrill of watching these astonishing birds in the wild.

A Kaleidoscope of China

A Kaleidoscope of China PDF Author: 松本盛雄
Publisher: 中信出版社
ISBN: 9787508509976
Category : China
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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The Cuckoos

The Cuckoos PDF Author: Robert B. Payne
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 9780191513558
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 644

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Book Description
The cuckoos are the most variable birds in social behavior and parental care: a few cuckoos are among the most social of all birds and rear their young in a common nest; most cuckoos are caring parents that rear their own young with some females laying a few eggs in the nests of others; while many cuckoo species are brood parasites who leave their eggs in the nests of other birds to rear, with their young maturing to kill their foster nestmates. In The Cuckoos, Robert B. Payne presents a new evolutionary history of the family based on molecular genetics, and uses the family tree to explore the origins and diversity of their behaviour. He traces details of the cuckoos' biology to their original sources, includes descriptions of previously unpublished field observations, and reveals new comparisons of songs showing previously overlooked cuckoo species. Lavishly illustrated with specially commissioned colour plates and numerous maps, halftones, and line drawings, The Cuckoos provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of this family yet available.

Avian Brood Parasitism

Avian Brood Parasitism PDF Author: Manuel Soler
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319731386
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 566

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Book Description
Brood parasitism has become one of the most flourishing areas of research in evolutionary ecology and one of the best model systems for investigating coevolution. This subject has undergone remarkable advances during the last two decades, but has not been covered by any book in the 21st century. This book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the fascinating field of avian brood parasitism. The topics covered include conspecific brood parasitism; evolution and phylogenetic history of avian brood parasites; parasitic behaviour used by brood parasites; adaptations and counter-adaptations of brood parasites and their hosts at every stage of the breeding cycle (before laying, egg, chick and fledgling stages); factors affecting the evolution of host defences and parasitic attacks; the role of phenotypic plasticity in host defences; mechanisms driving egg recognition and rejection; evolution of nest sharing or nest killing by brood parasite chicks; begging behaviour in parasitized nests and food delivery by host adults; and recognition of conspecifics by juvenile brood parasites. This volume provides a comprehensive reference resource for readers and researchers with an interest in birds, behaviour and evolution, as well as a source of hypotheses and predictions for future investigations into this dynamic subject.

The Encyclopaedia Sinica

The Encyclopaedia Sinica PDF Author: Samuel Couling
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : China
Languages : en
Pages : 654

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Cuckoos of the World

Cuckoos of the World PDF Author: Johannes Erritzøe
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1408142678
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 545

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Book Description
WINNER OF THE BIRDWATCH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2012 This authoritative handbook, part of the Helm Identification Guides series, looks in detail at the world's cuckoos, couas and anis - it is the ultimate reference to the cuckoos of the world. Famed as brood-parasites of other birds, the cuckoos include a diverse range of species, from the roadrunners of North America to the spectacular malkohas of southern Asia. This book discusses the biology and identification of these birds on a species-by-species basis, bringing together the very latest research with accurate range maps, more than 600 stunning colour photographs that illuminate age and racial plumage differences, and 36 superb plates by a team of internationally renowned artists.

Life Histories of North American [birds].: Cuckoos, goatsuckers, hummingbirds and their allies

Life Histories of North American [birds].: Cuckoos, goatsuckers, hummingbirds and their allies PDF Author: Arthur Cleveland Bent
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Birds
Languages : en
Pages : 594

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Risky Business in China

Risky Business in China PDF Author: J. Gordon
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 113743323X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
Risk is a major reason that companies fail in, or fail to enter, China. Packed with case studies, this unique book demonstrates how correctly applied due diligence can not only reduce business risk in China, but also provide excellent business intelligence to support negotiations and business relationships.

The Encyclopedia Sinica

The Encyclopedia Sinica PDF Author: Samuel Couling
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : China
Languages : en
Pages : 650

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Book Description