African Wildlife & Environment Issue 78

GOOD READS

Nests Stuart, Chris & Mathilde (2021). Avian architects - Quick ID guide to nests and eggs of southern African birds. Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 10x18 cm, 40 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs and diagrams. ISBN 978-1- 77584 -743-4. R83. Birds' nests come in an astonishing variety of

Skulls Stuart, Chris & Mathilde (2021). Skullduggery – Quick ID guide to southern and East African mammal skulls. Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 10x18 cm, 40 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs and diagrams. ISBN 978-1-77584 -726-7. R83. Readers who have been on walks on beaches, over farms, nature reserves or on trails in wilderness areas will have experienced the discovery of some or other bleached mammalian skull lying on the ground. This concise Quick ID guide will help to identify what animal once walked around (or swam) with the skull hidden under its skin. The mammalian skull is made up of about 34 bones, many of which are fused together. A vast range of different skull shapes and sizes enable the observer to determine the species or family the skull belongs to. The tooth structure is particularly useful in pinpointing a species, as it shows the species-specific features that different mammals have evolved for finding, biting and chewing their food. Photographs and dental formulae provided in this booklet are valuable aids to making the correct ID. An opening spread is devoted to explaining how to determine the dental formula. The booklet then works through the different families of mammals, with excellent, clear photos and dental formulae. One spread is dedicated to the skulls of whales and dolphins. The skulls of the different mammals reflect their diets. Pangolins, for example, have no teeth in their conical skulls with reduced lower jaw. Their food comprises ants and termites which are swallowed whole and ground up by a gizzard-like action in the stomach.

shapes and sizes, and reflect the evolution of nest- construction in this wonderful group of creatures. As a schoolboy egg-collector (now illegal, please note!) I was very impressed by the amount of information the Stuarts have been able to cram into this booklet. The first nests were most likely simple scrapes on the ground, as seen in plovers, terns and ostriches.Then other species made their nests a bit more homely by arranging twigs and pebbles around the eggs. Then, probably to avoid predators, some birds started nesting in trees, first by building simple and flimsy platforms of twigs, similar to the nests of doves and pigeons. A great step forward was the cup nest, which provided protective side walls and a cosy lining that greatly improved incubation. Many passerines make cup nests, while others have added domes roofs, or build cups and completely closed nests with mud pellets. Some birds use cavities in trees, the ground or banks for nesting. Some species like bee-eaters and kingfishers excavate tunnels in banks and others like barbets and woodpeckers excavate their own holes in trees. After the introduction, the book kicks off with the giant nests of the Hamerkop and Sociable Weaver, then moves to the 'high-rise penthouses' of the cliff-nesters like eagles and ravens. Next are the 'Castles of clay' built by swallows, the woven nests of the 'Master weavers', then cups, purses and other shapes, and more, too many to mention in a short review. This is a wonderful little booklet, highly recommended and one that will fascinate adults and children alike.

6 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 78 (2021)