The Wheatear, P. Conder: 1st Edition: Hardback: Ornithology: Bird Behaviour

This book is the product of detailed observation of the Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe over a period of forty years. The author tells the story of the Wheatear's long spring and autumn migration from Africa to the Yukon across Asia, a distance of about 13,000 km, probably the longest migration undertaken by any passerine.

Peter Conder has made a close study of the territorial behaviour of Wheatears, and he shows that as opposed to being a breeding season phenomenon the first territorial tendencies may be observed in month-old juveniles, as indeed may the rudiments of the considerable range of vocalisations, sexual and aggressive displays used by Wheatears.

The central section of the book deals with the breeding biology of the Northern Wheatear: nest building, size of nest, role of sexes in the building. the size of eggs, clutch sizes, the breeding season and the effect of climate. The detailed chapters on the development of nestlings are particularly interesting: automatic recordings show feeding rates; nestlings were weighed individually and the development of their behaviour was studied through a hole in the roof of the nest burrow from a darkened hide.

The descriptions and analysis of Wheatear behaviour are complemented by graphs, charts and diagrams by the author, and are beautifully illustrated by the drawings of John Busby.