naturalists.This small book is full water. The head is almost nonex- American Goldfinch, Canada of interesting facts about the istent and lacks a radula or any Goose, and Great Blue Heron are groups of animals that live in the significant eyes" (p. 104). introduced with the family they sea. The authors cover sponges, This book is definitely worth belong to, the habitat in which sea anemones, jellyfish, sea mats, reading if you are interested in they are found, their call or song, marine worms, mollusks, echino- marine animals. It is interesting and general size information. In derms, sea squirts, cartilaginous and contains many wonderful old the lower corner of each bird fish, marine reptiles, birds, seals, drawings, some as old as 200 page, an "Also meet" section is [-' sea lions, walruses, whales, and years. However,it really is not very included where the authors intro- sea weed. The book also contains useful for research purposes in duce us to a relative of that bird. a glossary, index, and a section on either a college or a high school For example, the Downy [-' books and Web sites that are use- setting. Woodpecker page also introduces ful for further research. the Hairy Woodpecker and the Although this book contains Herring Gull page introduces the many beautiful drawings, it is real- Lorelei Crerar Ring-billedGull. ly not very useful for research pur- J.E.B.Stuart High School The book includes a delight- 14 poses. A lot of the information Falls Church,VA 22044 ful chapter on notable birds with contained in the book is in the incredible facts. Did you know the 0 Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/68/1/57/339944/4451930.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 form of anecdotes or strange facts highest fliers are the Bar-Headed about the organisms. The authors Geese, who fly as high as 20 even state as much in the intro- BIRDS Empire State Buildings stacked on 0 duction: "This approach (compil- top of each other? Or did you What's That Bird: Getting To ing line drawings) means that the know the smallest bird is the Know the Birds Around You, book cannot be used as a techni- Calliope Hummingbird, which Coast To Coast. By Joseph cal introduction or as a field weighs half as much as a teabag? Choiniere and Claire Mowbray guide. We hope it is a visual pleas- Admittedly, some categories are a Golding. 2005. Storey Publishing ure and a satisfying read; and if it bit more subjective, like the best Ne (ISBN 1580175546) 120 pp. engages you sufficiently to send dancer, which according to the Paperback.$14.95. N you in search of more 'serious' ref- authors is the Whooping Crane. What's That Bird is 'a begin- erence works then it will have What's That Bird is a won- ner's guide to backyard birding' served its purpose" (pg. 10). derful resource for an elementary, (as the cover states) ... and much The authors quote Reverend middle school, or even a high more. Not only does it cover com- J.G. Wood (1863) many times school classroom. It would also be mon species identification, but throughout this book. The rev- a great book for a familyinterested topics such as how to build a nest erend was an early examiner of in learning more about birds. If box, protecting a bird habitat, and the natural world and had many your interest is purely in identifi- keeping a bird calendar are interesting things to say about it. cation of the 9,000 plus species, a included in this comprehensive Several times, the authors correct field guide would be more appro- manual. This colorful paperback Wood's interpretation based on priate, but if you want a superb is a must for a beginning birder of more current information. About comprehensive beginner's guide any age. the cnidarian sea fans Wood this is the book for you. states: "Thewhole structure easily Joseph Choiniere and Claire _At _f dries out and may be found in the Mowbray Golding's book engages _Pf Pf J dwelling of mariners, who have readerswith a colorful selection of Kay Marie Pedretti brought home these remarkable pictures, basic bird facts in 'Bird CollegeLab Specialist objects as presents to their wives" Anatomy 101,'interesting sidebars BiologyDepartment (p. 23). such as how birds use wishbones, WinonaState University and an appendix to entice you to Winona,MN 55987 Although the authors state further reading in books, Web that their book does not contain sites, and associations. Topics information usable for research, it such as biodiversity, migration, does contain a great many won- endangered species, and what to HONEYBEES derful descriptions of the animals do when you find a baby bird are of the sea: "In the class Bivalvia, Langstroth's Hive and the also highlighted in this guide. the soft body is compressed from Honey-Bee: The Classic side to side between two shells, The authors cover 30 familiar Beekeeper's Manual. By L. L. called valves. Bivalves are relative- birds in depth in What's That Langstroth. 2004. Dover Publica- ly immobile, resting in or on sedi- Bird. Birds such as the Baltimore tions, Inc. (ISBN 0486433846). ments in fresh, salt, or brackish Oriole, Great Horned Owl, 409 pp. Paperback.$16.95.

OKREVIEWS 57 First published in 1853, this fas- the apiarist to gain access to the hive's social order: the queen moth- cinating work is an enlightening colony without cutting into the er that supplies the eggs; the work- exploration of honeybees, undoubt- comb or greatly agitating the bees. ers that carry out the work of the edly among nature's most intriguing In addition to hive construction, hive, including constructing cells, creatures, and the various facets of general beekeeping operations dis- making honey, rearing brood, and beekeeping. Langstroth's Hive and cussed include methods of retriev- defending the colony; and the the Honey-Bee is a reprint of the 4th ing swarms, techniques for harvest- defenseless males whose "proper edition of A Practical Treatise on ing honey, and strategies to prevent office" is to inseminate the queens. the Hive and Honey-Bee, published "robbing"by bees from neighboring in 1878. Reverend L. L. Langstroth, hives. Langstroth's enchantment with "the father of modern beekeeping," bees is engaging, and readers are transformed beekeeping by describ- Langstroth notes that an impor- likely to be amused by his anthropo- ing revolutionary methods still in tant aspect of sustaining healthy morphic language. He speaks, for use today, most notably the move- colonies is being familiarwith pests. instance, of the queen's "devoted able frame hive. For example, bears can destroy hives children," the "respect" and "affec- in their search for honey, toads may tion" she receives from the colony, Langstroth provides detailed feed on the honeybees, and ants can and the "kindness" bees exhibit

descriptions of his moveable frame become unwelcome guests by nest- toward one another. He views the Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/68/1/57/339944/4451930.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 hive and techniques for handling ing within the comb. He gives spe- bee world as a reflection of divine the occupying honeybees. The cial attention to the bee moth, purpose, and he even invites fellow unique design of the Langstroth explaining how the female lays her ministers to participate in the practi- hive affords the beekeeper greater eggs within unguarded crevices of cal and "intellectual pursuit" of bee- manipulation of the colony than ear- the hive. Moth larvae burrow keeping in order to gain insights lier models. The detachable frames through the comb in search of food that may be incorporated into their of the hive box are suspended in a and suitable places in which to spin sermons. His narrative style, sprin- specified manner both to provide their cocoons, soiling the hive and kled with literary excerpts, is similar crawl space and to prevent bees causing structural damage. to that of a journal, increasing the from erecting combs outside the Langstroth explains how blocks of a book's appeal to a general audience. desired frame area, thereby allowing particular construction in the mov- He includes excellent illustrations, a able frame hive can hinder the beekeeper's calendar with instruc- moth's access and also entrap larvae tions for each month, and a list of if the female gains entry and beekeeper's axioms. We learn, for N E W IN PAPE.RBACK deposits her eggs. Other techniques example, that honeybees "dislike the for dealing with this pest include offensive odor of sweaty animals, WHY MEN trapping the moths with containers and will not endure impure air from of sweetened water placed on the human lungs." WON'T Ak;"FOR hive, luring larvae to one location of Langstroth's Hive and the DIRECTIONS the hive with the warmth of a wool cloth, and destroying eggs and lar- Honey-Bee is not only a milestone Thie Secluctions of ScciobiJIcqy in modern bee management, but it is RichardC. Francis vae with fumes from burning sulfur. Langstrothwrites that "preventionis also a paean to the marvels df the natural world and a window onto In this controversialbook, Richard better than cure"when stressing the Francisproposes a powerful alterna- importance of regular inspections of certain aspects of rural life in 19th tive to the adaptationist approach the hive. Diligent care in managing century America. It is a useful that is rooted in the latest findings in bees contributes to the quantity of resource for teachers, students, and in evolutionarybiology as well as honey and wax produced as well as others interested exploring the research on the workings of our the overall health of the bees. connections between nature studies brains, genes, and hormones. and subjects such as literature, his- "Interesting,engagingly written, and Along with detailing the meth- tory, and sociology. Hence, its important.Francis is rightfullyattack- ods of apiary management, appeal is not limited to apiarists but ing the theological/ideologicalbasis Langstroth recommends that the extends to a wide range of readers of adaptationistthinking." serious beekeeper be familiar with eager to increase their awareness of -James L.Gould, PrincetonUniversity the biology of bees, including physi- the wonders of nature and the les- Paper$18.95 0-691-12405-1 DueJanuary ology and behavior. Using his own sons they teach. observations as well as the research PRINCETON of others, he discusses egg fertiliza- Universy Press tion, the life spans of colony mem- Shuntele N. Burns celebratingceertn,800 777-4726 bers, and diseases that afflict bees. AssistantProfessor of Biology ioo Yearsof Readexcerpts at He also investigates the roles of AlabamaState University Excellence www.pup.princeton.edu caste members that make up the Montgomery,AL 36104

58 THEAMERICAN BIOLOGYTEACHER,VOLUME 68, NO.1,JANUARY 2006