Synopsis In art, mythology, and folklore, birds have been used for centuries to symbolize wisdom and truth, strength and power, birth and death. However, nothing about birds has tantalized humans more than the gift of flight. There are birds that "fly" through water, others that can attain incredible speeds while swooping on prey, and some, such as the hummingbirds, that are extraordinarily agile and can even fly backwards. But what unites and defines these creatures is not their ability to fly--for, curiously, some cannot fly at all--but the possession of feathers on their bodies. Like so many members of the natural world, birds are under threat. Humans have been responsible for the extinction of many species, and with the continued destruction of their habitats many more birds will fall victim to the pressures imposed by the modern world. This beautiful book with carefully researched illustrations, maps and diagrams, presents an up-to-date and comprehensive survey of the natural history of birds. The authoritative text has been written and it presents the most recent scientific findings in an interesting and stimulating way.