THE PEREGRINE FALCON. By Derek Ratcliffe.

1980 1st edition. Large 8vo (158 x 241mm). Pp416. Colour plates, illustrations by Donald Watson, colour plate of eggs, b/w photographs, maps, bibliography, maroon end-papers. Maroon boards, spine titled in gilt account of this especially interesting bird of prey has been eagerly awaited and now more than meets expectations. Not only is this a detailed, definitive study by an internationally acknowledged authority, it is also a well composed work with an easy flow that conceals its author's skilled presentation". Chapters include: The peregrine and man; The peregrine's country; Population trends in Britain; Distribution and numbers in Britain; Food and feeding habits; Nesting habitat; The breeding cycle - pairing courtship; The breeding cycle - laying to fledgling; Movements and migration; Breeding density and territory; Population regulation and dynamics; Ecological relationships with other birds; The pesticide story; Other enemies; Appearance, form and geographical variation; Conservation and the future.