When a kayaker thought he spotted an ivory-billed woodpecker in 2004, the birding community took notice. Two birders traveled to the bayou where the sighting occurred, well aware that the last confirmed sighting of an ivory-bill had taken place over sixty years ago. Both men caught a glimpse of the bird, and a team began to search the surrounding swamplands. Even after long hours of surveillance and multiple sightings, the scientists cautiously refused to disclose their rediscovery of the extinct bird until they captured it on film. At last, armed with a short video and sound clip, they published their findings in Science, triggering a frenzy of media coverage and sparking a controversy among birders and scientists who continue to disagree about whether the bird really still exists. In Stalking the Ghost Bird, Michael K. Steinberg engages the lengthy debate over the ivory-bill's status by examining the reported sightings and extensive efforts to find the rare bird in Louisiana. Louisiana has long been at the center of the ivory-bill's story. John James Audubon wrote about the bird and its habitat during his stay in St. Francisville, and scientists James Tanner and George Lowery studied the ivory-bill in Louisiana in the 1930s and 1940s. More recently, bird experts have conducted targeted searches in Louisiana. Steinberg discusses these and other scientific expeditions, and he catalogs reported ivory-bill sightings since the 1950s, using a detailed timeline that includes both dates and specific locations. Interviews with conservation officials, ornithologists, and native Louisianans illuminate the ongoing controversy and explore why the ivory-bill, more than any other bird, arouses so much attention. Steinberg meets elderly residents of the Atchafalaya Basin who saw the ivory-bill while hunting in the 1930s and even ate the bird-which they called the "forest turkey"-during hard times. He paddles into Two O'Clock Bayou with one wildlife professor and travels to a cypress-filled wildlife refuge with the director of Louisiana's Nature Conservancy. His interviews illustrate how expert opinions vary, as well as how much local non-experts know. Steinberg also explores in detail the human impact on both the ivory-bill and its bottomland forest habitat, explains how forest-management practices in the South may pose problems for an ivory-bill recovery, and outlines where future searches for the bird should take place. In this absorbing study, Steinberg turns his lifelong interest in the majestic ivory-billed woodpecker into a tale that encapsulates both the mystery and intrigue surrounding the legendary bird and our fascination with it.
Presents region-by-region information for travelers to Germany, including details on its history, landscape, historic sites, hotels and restaurants, and more, and provides color photographs, maps, and cutaway illustrations.
National Geographic Traveler: Germany, 3rd Edition, " presents today s Germany region by region, from Munich s famous beer halls and fairy-tale Bavarian castles to the vibrant hub that is 21st-century Berlin, the Rhine Valley s medieval towns, and picturesque vineyards along the Romantic Road. Exciting experiences include touring underground Berlin, windsurfing off the northern Baltic coast, learning how to brew beer in Bavaria, and exploring a breathtaking corner of the Black Forest.
In the year 6303, Duncan Rojas receives a most unusual visitor. The last of the Masai, Mandaka searches for the tusks of a legendary elephant. Through the quest, Rojas catches a glimpse of the elusive power of Africa and the magic surrounding the greatest hunting trophy ever taken.
This newly revised and updated guide tells you everything you need to know about visiting Germany. Covering the entire country region by region, the guide begins in the youthful capital of Berlin and proceeds to Mecklenburg, Hamburg, Niedersachsen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Hessen, Thuringe, Sachsen, northern Bavaria, Munich and the Alps, and finally Baden-Wurtemberg. Interesting narratives describe the best sites to visit (as well as lesser-known ones), complete with detailed background descriptions and how best to tour each one. Among the special features are self-guided walking and driving tours: Stroll along the streets of ever changing Berlin, for instance, or through a breathtaking corner of the Black Forest. National Geographic and local experts provide insider tips on favorite or little known sites and events, and dozens of sidebars highlight experiences that show you how to truly get the most from your trip, including attending the medieval festivals celebrated at many castles in the Rhine Valley; touring underground Berlin; surfing and windsurfing off the northern Baltic coast; and learning how to brew beer in Bavaria. A chapter full of practical information rounds out the guide, including how to get to Germany and an extensive listing of author-picked hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. The National Geographic Traveler series is aimed at active travelers who want authentic, enriching, cultural experiences and look to a guidebook for expert advice and insider tips from a trustworthy source. We offer ways for people to experience a place rather than just visit, and give the feel of each destination not easily found online.
Shows that a Good Beginning may Sometimes be Followed by a Bad Ending. "Six feet water in the hold, sir!" That would not have been a pleasant announcement to the captain of the 'Aurora' at any time, but its unpleasantness was vastly increased by the fact that it greeted him near the termination of what had been, up to that point of time, an exceedingly prosperous voyage. "Are you sure, Davis?" asked the captain; "try again." He gave the order under the influence of that feeling which is styled "hoping against hope," and himself accompanied the ship's carpenter to see it obeyed. "Six feet two inches," was the result of this investigation.
Handy reference books, modestly priced, packing comprehensive coverage into a small space. The text, photographs and maps are all clearly cross-referenced, and star attractions are highlighted, making the books ideal for consulting on-the-spot.
As the prophets have foretold, a child of power has been born unto the Turtle People of the Iroquois Nation. The Elders call him False Face Child, for he is the son of a powerful spirit. A living talisman, the child has inhuman eyes--black mirrors, ageless and deep--and all fear him. All but Jumping Badger, the most powerful war leader of the Bear People. He destroys an entire village to take the boy to use as a spiritual weapon. But his triumph is short-lived. The Bear People suffer terrible visions and hear the voices of the spirits. Strange ailments and mysterious deaths take them one by one. Though he is a seer, False Face Child is also a sad and lonely young boy named Rumbler. Twelve-year-old Wren befriends him and together they escape across the winter landscape of New York and Ontario with Jumping Badger close behind. He now fears the boy's power and seeks to kill him. Their only hope is to stay alive long enough to find Rumbler's legendary father, known only as The Disowned. An epic journey, People of the Masks is another riveting volume in New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear's North America's Forgotten Past series. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Each map and pocket guide in this series provides essential information to get the most of your stay. Each guide lists the top 25 sights plus a locator map, then takes you through the city, district by district, with localised shopping, entertainment and accommodation listings. Web addresses are given where available.
A pocket-sized city guide with a large-scale street map. AA CityPacks are specially designed for the short break city visitor. Organise your time with recommended day itineraries, walks and excursions. The Top 25 sights, arranged from west to east across the city, are highlighted and give you all the accompanying detail you need such as prices and opening times. The best features of the city are all described - galleries, museums, parks and much more. Information is presented in easy-reference lists - restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, different types of shop, all kinds of nightlife - concerts, opera, cinemas, theatres, and places to stay to suit all budgets. Every guide comes with a separate street map and a protective plastic wallet.
When Yoosoof entered the woods, as before stated, for the purpose of looking after his property, hefollowed a narrow footpath for about half a mile, which led him to another part of the same creek, at the entrance of which we introduced him to the reader. Here, under the deep shadow ofumbrageous trees, floated five large Arab boats, or dhows, similar to the one which has been alreadyreferred to. They were quite empty, and apparently unguarded, for when Yoosoof went down thebank and stood on a projecting rock which overlooked them, no one replied to his low-toned hail.Repeating it once, and still receiving no answer, he sat quietly down on the rocks, lighted a smallpipe, and waited patiently.The boats, as we have said, were empty, but there were some curious appliances in them, having theappearance of chains, and wristlets, and bars of iron running along and fixed to their decks, or ratherto the flooring of their holds. Their long yards and sails were cleared and ready for hoisting.After the lapse of ten or fifteen minutes, Yoosoof raised his head-for he had been meditatingdeeply, if one might judge from his attitude-and glanced in the direction of an opening in thebushes whence issued a silent and singular train of human beings. They were negroes, secured by thenecks or wrists-men, women, and children, -and guarded by armed half-caste Portuguese. When acertain number of them, about a hundred or so, had issued from the wood, and crowded the banksof the creek, they were ordered to stand still, and the leader of the band advanced towards hismaster.These were some of Yoosoof's "goods and chattels," his "cattle," his "black ivory.""You have been long in coming, Moosa," said the Arab trader, as the man approached."I have," replied Moosa, somewhat gruffly, "but the road was rough and long, and the cattle wereill-conditioned, as you see."The two men spoke in the Portuguese tongue, but as the natives and settlers on that coast speak avariety of languages and dialects, we have no alternative, good reader, but to render all into English."Make the more haste now," said Yoosoof; "get them shipped at once, for we sail when the moongoes down. Pick out the weakest among the lot, those most likely to die, and put them bythemselves in the small dhow. If we must sacrifice some of our wares to these meddling dogs theEnglish, we may as well give them the refuse.
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