Birders: Tales of a Tribe.MARK COCKER Some people give up vast parts of their lives in pursuit of a glimpse of a tragopan or a short-eared owl The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a species of typical owl (family Strigidae). Owls belonging to genus Asio are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or may not be visible. . British birder Cocker gives an insider's look at the birding culture and reveals what drives people to search for and meticulously document avian avian /avi·an/ (a´ve-an) of or pertaining to birds. a·vi·an adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of birds. creatures. This tribe has its own rules, history, customs, language, etiquette etiquette, name for the codes of rules governing social or diplomatic intercourse. These codes vary from the more or less flexible laws of social usage (differing according to local customs or taboos) to the rigid conventions of court and military circles, and they , and values, all of which Cocker explains--sometimes quite humorously. His own birding treks and others' show these as people with a passion rather than a mere hobby. This goes for the twitchers, or rare-bird spotters, who covet cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. the record for species sighted in Britain and who travel thousands of miles for a chance to see a rare bird. Originally published in the United Kingdom in 2001. Atlnc Mnthly, 2002, 229 p., hardcover, $24.00. |
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