Curious Naturalists

"This book describes the activities & some of the discoveries of a small number of naturalists who have joined me, at one time or another, in the pursuit of our common hobby; the study of the behaviour of animals in their natural environment. It covers about 25 years of biological sightseeing & exploration & tries to tell, without the use of technical language, a story of our field work and the joys of discovery."—Niko Tinbergen Preface vii 1. The Bee-Hunters of Hulshorst 1 2. Arctic Interlude 19 3· Snow Buntings and Phalaropes 43 4. Back to the Bee-Hunters 60 5. Swifter than Swifts 83 6. The Sand Wasps 103 7· Studies of Camouflage 125 8. Defence by Colour 155 9. Bark with Wings 176 10. Camberwell Beauties 193 11. Cliff Dwellers 200 12. Black-headed Gulls, 1 218 13. Black-headed Gulls, 2 236 14. Eider Invasion 252 15. Insects and Flowers 268 16. Curious Naturalists 285 References 292 Index 296