Birds and Islands

This book is an autobiography of Ronald Lockley - now in his 80s and still active in the world of birds and conservation - who is considered to be one of the great pioneers of nature study in this century. His first book, "Dream Island", was published by H.F. and G.Witherby in 1930. It recounts Lockley's love affair with the Island of Skokholm, off the Welsh Coast, where he lived for twelve years. This experience was a prelude to Lockley's lifelong fascination with islands and their wildlife. He has always been attracted by wild places, preferably isolated, where nature can be studied without the intrusion of man and his works. Lockley has visited almost all the small bird-islands in the Northern hemisphere, and a great many in the South. He has conducted some famous experiments into the homing behaviour of birds, particularly shearwaters. He is a world authority on the domestic behaviour of wild rabbits and has a broad knowledge of sea birds. Based on over 50 years of his nature diaries, this book should be of interest to all bird watchers and those interested in nature and travel.