title: Bird Coloration, Volume 1: Mechanisms and Measurements
author: Geoffrey E. Hill
description: Together, these two volumes present an outstanding collection of contributions, written by leaders in the field and offering a modern, state-of-the-art review of our understanding of bird coloration--including the mechanisms, function, and evolution underlying the variation we see today. (Michael S. Webster, Washington State University)<br /><br />The aim of <i>Bird Coloration</i> is to provide a flavour of the extent to which birds have exploited the sun's rays...These two volumes also delve deeper into the disparate ways in which bird colours are produced, what purpose they perform, their effect on communities in general, and finally, how they got here in the first place--their evolution...The reference lists alone are priceless...<i>Bird Coloration</i> will appeal to students of, and researchers in, evolution in general, because the devices that cause colour are often considered as phenotypes. Those interested in ecology, animal behaviour and vision studies will benefit, too...And if further incentive is needed to buy these books, just flick through the colour sections. (Andrew R. Parker <i>Times Literary Supplement</i> 2006-07-28)<br /><br />The two volumes of <i>Bird Coloration</i> provide an excellent up-to-date overview of the topic...Bird coloration is a huge topic and anyone organizing an overview should be heartily congratulated. (Andrew T. D. Bennett <i>Nature</i> 2007-01-11)<br /><br />This anthology of scientific writing in two volumes explains much of what is known about bird coloration and highlights that which we do not know. Subjects like whether the bright coloration of a male Northern Cardinal increases or decreases its chances of being captured by a visual predator like the Coopers Hawk are debated...Many of the contributions to this text are scientifically detailed, however, the fascinating subject of bird coloration is presented at a level that the average reader would learn much about this fascinating subject. (Robert Hoopes <i>Wildlife Activist</i> 2007-06-01)
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  ## **IX**
  
  
  “FLANNAN!” I WHISPERED, unable to believe that my eyes were not bedazzled by
  some sorcery.
  
  
  The creature might not be the ethereal thing legend has reported in tales, but
  it was not a bird and it did have characteristics which were akin—outwardly—to
  the human.
  
  
  The feet were still clawed and red, yet they were not the stick-proportions of
  a true bird; the body had taken on a humanoid shape with arms showing beneath
  the half spread wings, and tiny hands at the end of those arms. The neck might
  still be long and supple, but the head it supported, though centered by a
  jutting beak, held a recognizable face. The white shimmering feathers clothed
  it, save for feet, arms and hands.
  
  
  It was blinking rapidly and those tiny hands lifted in a gesture toward
  Kaththea as if warding off some blow it feared.
  
  
  Flannan, th