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Rare Bird
Part naturalist detective
story, part environmental inquiry, this vibrant
narrative follows the improbable trail from the hallowed
halls of the Smithsonian Institute to the foggy coastal
environs of Redwood National Park. Along the way, the
author makes a compelling case for the search for
meaning in our changeable world.
What
People Are Saying...
"Maria Mudd Ruth's
engaging, scientific detective story bristles with
humor, curiosity, frustration and passion as the
accidental naturalist tracks the history of this elusive
seabird...a fascinating avian odyssey, recounted with
ferocity and grace."
— The Los Angeles Times
"…a fascinating and
inspiring detective story."
— Birder's World
“In Rare Bird [Ruth]
tells us not only about this intriguing seabird, but
also about the dedicated people drawn into its world.
The murrelet becomes a symbol of wildlife endangered by
people who do not yet realize their own lethal power in
a world they barely understand…for readers who adore
birds or find fascination in nature's subtle charms,
"Rare Bird" is a gem. All in all, it is a neat little
book about a neat little bird and a tale well told.”
—Kenai Peninsula Clarion, Alaska
"Beautifully and
deftly written. Truly captures the mystery and
excitement of the murrelet's story."
— Joan Dunning, author of
"From the Redwood Forest"
"It is not often that
you find a natural history book you can't put down."
— Jennifer Ackerman, author of
"Notes from the Shore"
"Rare Bird is a unique
and delightful book: too passionate for ordinary
journalism, too well-researched fro a personal essay,
and far too witty or natural history."
— Peter Cashwell, author of
"The Verb To Bird"
"…an important addition to
birding and environmental literature."
— Santa Cruz Sentinel
"...this is one of those
tales where the science of natural history and a sense
of wonder at the world around us come together;
ultimately, like the author, we are seduced by a
seemingly ordinary creature that manages the most
extraordinary feats..."
—American Birding Association
“I found the chapters on
early history fascinating, and I commend Ruth for her
background reading and archival digging to uncover
obscure early material, and for her presentation of it
in a fresh, clean manner.”
—Marine Ornithology
“Rare Bird is a rare book –
not because it is hard to obtain, but because it tells
its story so well…The Marbled Murrelet is a rare bird in
that, once you get to know it a little, it can change
your life.”
—Santa Cruz Bird Club
“The author's commitment to
the marbled murrelet is well illustrated in this highly
personal narrative.”
—Science News
“…the book
is well-researched and clearly structured. Ruth did her
homework, logging many interviews and traveling to see
birds, specimens, people, and places. The result is a
fascinating and inspiring detective story."
—Birder’s World
“…Ruth does an outstanding
job of telling the tale of the discoveries of the
Marbled Murrelet's nesting ecology and highlighting some
of the important players. There is much of local
interest pertaining to the Santa Cruz Mountains and a
focus on local longtime murrelet researcher Steve
Singer. Whether you know a lot or a little about this
fascinating bird, I know you'll enjoy the book.”
—Monterey Bay Birds
“…it’s an eminently readable
book for birders….a good mystery….and a focused case
study of this one single species and its endangered
existence. Other species are more endangered, all are
fighting their own particular battles, but understanding
this one bird and its challenges drives the broader
lesson home for the readers.”
—Forsyth County [North Carolina]
Audubon Society |
