Reunion Solitaire

The most comprehensive book to date about these two famously extinct birds.

The Mascarene islands in the southern Indian Ocean - Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues - were once home to an extraordinary range of birds and reptiles. Evolving on these isolated volcanic islands in the absence of mammalian predators or competitors, the land was dominated by giant tortoises, parrots, skinks and geckos, burrowing boas, flightless rails & herons, and of course (in Mauritius) the Dodo. Uninhabited and only discovered in the 1500s, colonisation by European settlers in the 1600s led to dramatic changes in the ecology of the islands; the birds and tortoises were slaughtered indiscriminately while introduced rats, cats, pigs and monkeys destroyed their eggs, the once-extensive forests logged, and invasive introduced plants from all over the tropics devastated the ecosystem. The now-familiar icon of extinction, the Dodo, was gone from Mauritius within 50 years of human settlement, and over the next 150 years many of the Mascarenes' other native vertebrates followed suit. The product of over 30 years research by Anthony Cheke, Lost Land of the Dodo provides a comprehensive yet hugely enjoyable account of the story of the islands' changing ecology, interspersed with human stories, the islands' biogeographical anomalies, and much else. Many French publications, old and new, especially for Réunion, are discussed and referenced in English for the first time. The book is richly illustrated with maps and contemporary illustrations of the animals and their environment, many of which have rarely been reprinted before. Illustrated box texts look in detail at each extinct vertebrate species, while Julian Hume's superb colour plates bring many of the extinct birds to life. Lost Land of the Dodo provides the definitive account of this tragic yet remarkable fauna, and is a must-read for anyone interested in islands, their ecology and the history of our relationship with the world around us.

This volume is dedicated to the field identification of pigeons and doves, and it incorporates much recent information on the family. Pigeons and doves are a large family of birds occurring throughout the world. Many species are specialist frugivores, while others feed on seeds. Most are arboral and the tropical species in particular are often brightly coloured. The family includes gregarious migratory species, as well as shy, ground-dwelling forms such as the exotic crowned pigeons of New Guinea."

Insight Guides: all you need to inspire every step of your journey. From deciding when to go, to choosing what to see when you arrive, this is all you need to plan your trip and experience the best of Mauritius, Réunion & Seychelles, with in-depth insider information on must-see, top attractions like the volcano of Piton de la Fournaise, Réunion; Anse Lazio beach in the Seychelles and Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius, as well as hidden cultural gems like the Musée de Villèle, Réunion, and the Vieux Grand Port of Mauritius. · Insight Guide Mauritius, Réunion & Seychelles is ideal for travellers seeking immersive cultural experiences, from exploring nature reserves and botanical gardens, to discovering some of the best beaches in the world · In-depth on history and culture: enjoy special features on the cuisine of the Mascarens, the underwater world of the Seychelles and the volcanic habitats of Réunion, all written by local experts · Invaluable maps, travel tips and practical information ensure effortless planning, and encourage venturing off the beaten track · Inspirational colour photography throughout - Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books · Inventive design makes for an engaging, easy reading experience About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

(This is the large print edition of Reunion Solitaire.) Sixteen-year-old Robb Shedd thought he had all he could handle just trying to get through his last year of high school and work up enough nerve to ask Janie McLain to the dance. Then a dodo waddled into his life. Yep, one of those awkward, ugly birds extinct for 300 years. This is not a responsibility Robb wants or is ready for. By the time he realizes just what a miracle he has, sinister forces - a top-secret government organization and a greedy older sister - are conspiring to take the bird away from Robb. Has the dodo come back from extinction only to die out once more?

Birds are among the most extensively studied of all animal groups. Hundreds of academic journals and thousands of scientists are devoted to bird research, while amateur enthusiasts (called birdwatchers or, more commonly, birders) probably number in the millions. Birds are categorised as a biological class, Aves. The earliest known species of this class is Archaeopteryx lithographica, from the Late Jurassic period. According to the most recent consensus, Aves and a sister group, the order Crocodilia, together form a group of unnamed rank, the Archosauria. Phylogenetically, Aves is usually defined as all descendants of the most recent common ancestor of modern birds (or of a specific modern bird species like Passer domesticus), and Archaeopteryx. Modern phylogenies place birds in the dinosaur clade Theropoda. Modern birds are divided into two superorders, the Paleognathae (mostly flightless birds like ostriches), and the wildly diverse Neognathae, containing all other birds.