OWLS: THEIR NATURAL and UNNATURAL HISTORY. By John Sparks and Tony Soper.

(1970) 1977 sixth impression. 8vo (150 x 216mm). Pp206. B/w photographs, illustrations by Robert Gillmor, diagrams, bibliography. Brown boards, spine titled in gilt.

"Here is a fascinating natural, and unnatural, history of the owl, of which there are over 130 species around the world. The curious anatomy of these highly efficient predators is explained, [as are] the ways in which they have adapted to widely differing habitats - anything from a hole in a giant cactus shared with woodpeckers to an underground burrow..." And much else besides. Chapters include: Design for the darkness; Owls at home; Numbers of owls; Owls and man; Owls of all shapes and sizes; Owls - the unnatural history. Appendices deal with eyesight and hearing, owls in boxes, feeding wild owls, owls in captivity, injured owls. A systematic list is included.