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About this book
Contents
Biography
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About this book
The first comprehensive account of the biology of one of North America's most enigmatic and colourful species, which had disappeared by the mid-C20. Although it was assumed to have been exterminated by shooting, Snyder argues that exotic diseases may have been responsible. He discusses the implications of its extinction for conservation in general.
Contents
Illustrations and Tables ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 Chapter 1. Basic Characteristics of the Species 6 Characteristics in Flight and on Foot 7 Vocalizations 8 History of Scientific and Common Names 9 Relationship to Other Parrots 10 Chapter 2. The Decline and Fall 12 Historical Population Trends 13 Last Days of the Parakeet in Florida 14 Personal Recollections of Parakeets 19 Other Late Sightings in Florida 25 Chapter 3. Controversial Last Records 32 The Parakeet Eggs of Charles Doe 33 Parakeets in the Okefenokee 59 Parakeets along the Santee 61 Even More Recent Sightings 76 Chapter 4. Habitat Preferences and Requirements 82 Chapter 5. Feeding Habits and Movements 86 Diet and Feeding Behavior 86 Movements 93 Chapter 6. Breeding Habits 96 Nest-Site Types and Social Relationships 96 Timing of Breeding; Nest, Egg, and Nestling Characteristics 104 Chapter 7. Causes of Extinction 108 Shooting 109 Capture for the Pet Trade 112 Food Supplies 113 Nest Sites 113 Predators and Parasites 115 Disease 116 Chapter 8. Parakeet Toxicity and Other Topics for Research 121 Chapter 9. Postmortem of a Conservation Failure 126 Chapter 10. Evaluating Historical Data, and Some General Conclusions 129 Assessing Interview Information 130 Musings on the Fate of Central Florida 134 Some Positive Parakeet Legacies 136 The Cocklebur and Its Many Potential Roles 138 A Last Look Back 140 References Cited 141 Index 149
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Biography
Noel F. R. Snyder is the author of four books on natural history subjects, including "The California Condor". He spent more than three decades as a researcher for independent and government conservation organizations, and before that had been Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of South Florida. He is former Director of Parrot Programs for Wildlife Preservation Trust International (1989-1998) and the recipient of several national conservation awards.
Out of Print
By: Noel F R Snyder
153 pages, Col plates, 35 illus
This is a wonderful compendium, caveated and collated with care. Snyder deserves great credit for a fascinating effort that comes as close as it is possible to get to the resurrection of what must have been a wonderful bird. -- Adrian Barnett California Wild Noel Snyder has now given us a well-researched epithet for North America's once and only endemic parrot. -- Stanley A. Temple Natural Areas Journal