Lords of the Air: The Smithsonian Book of Birds [FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING]

Page, Jake; Morton, Eugene S.

Published by Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C., 1989

About this Item

Fine unread condition oversized purple cloth boards with silver spine lettering contained in a fine condition color photographic dust jacket. Includes Introduction by S. Dillon Ripley, Secretary Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution; Epilogue; Index; Picture Credits; and Acknowledgments. Profusely illustrated with color photographs and multi-page color photographic frontispiece. The upper right corner of the blank first free front endpaper has a neatly scripted former name and date. "No creatures on this planet have been more admired by human beings than birds. Masters of flight, they captivate us with their aerial powers and grace, and further enchant us with their brilliant colors and melodious songs. Inevitably we have assigned meanings to birds - the eagle, the phoenix, the stork, the raven, the dove -- and adopted them as symbols. From an evolutionary point of view, birds are puzzling links to the ancient world of dinosaurs; their precise ancestry continues to cause controversy among evolutionary biologists. The fact remains, however, that birds have evolved into the most successful group of vertebrates on Earth, and today inhabit virtually every part of the globe from pole to pole. The study of birds has contributed immensely to our understanding of our world. Charles Darwin's study of the finches of the Galapagos Islands helped him formulate his concept of nature's grand design for continual change in living organisms. From an environmental standpoint, birds serve as crucial reminders of the importance of maintaining the health of the planet. All these perspectives are thoroughly explored in this stunning new book, produced under the imprimatur of the Smithsonian Institution, whose role in the study of birds worldwide can only be described as historic. The text illuminates the long and rich relationship between birds and human society; the origins of birds hundreds of millions of years ago; their incredible variety and the role of the changing configuration of the continents on their geographical distribution; the physical requirements of flight; subsistence and migratory patterns; communication and bird society; and the problem of endangered species. With magnificent full-color illustrations throughout, this book will become indispensable for bird lovers everywhere." - from the inner front and rear jacket flaps.

Seller Inventory # 005838

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Lords of the Air: The Smithsonian Book of Birds [FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING]
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C.
• Publication Date: 1989
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine