Reprint of the original, first published in 1840.

Identifying the likenesses between animals in the wild and human beings, another humorous reflection of the ridiculous side of life pokes fun at nutrition, talk shows, childbirth, and more. 500,000 first printing. $300,000 ad/promo.

Excerpt from On the Habits and Instincts of Animals So far, then, and considered as merely a general definition, or rather description, of instinct, this opinion is perfectly satisfactory; but it does not reach all the various bearings of this complicated subject. When we find some animals not only impelled to perform certain necessary functions in a regular and unvarying manner, - one generation following another in exactly the same track, and supplying their different wants in precisely the same manner, - but also that many others actually vary in what should seem to be the universal ordination of nature, and, as if in obedience to the deductions of reason, accurately adapting their plans to their circumstances, and their measures to those unexpected changes which accident may have wrought in their situation, - with these facts upon record, we feel it is not surprising that some who have written on the subject have gone a step further. They have, in fact, sought to solve the question, by admitting that, besides the faculty of instinct, animals may, in an inferior degree, also possess that of reason. But this admission brings with it fresh difficulties. If once we follow the least degree of reason to the brute creation, we must concede a portion of it altogether incompatible with their situation. We must admit that the bee, for instance, is guided in her wonderful operations, by an acquaintance with those principles of science, which man has required time and reflection to discover. We must, in short, acknowledge her both a geometrician and a philosopher; and endue her with a perception of causes and effects, inconsistent with the other habits and appearances of the creature, absolutely derogatory to the superior nature of man. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

A fascinating exploration of the language we use for animal behavior.

“A noted naturalist explores the centrality of home in the lives of humans and other animals . . . A special treat for readers of natural history” (Kirkus Reviews). Every year, many species make the journey from one place to another, following the same paths and ending up in the same places. Every year since boyhood, the acclaimed scientist and author Bernd Heinrich has done the same, returning to a beloved patch of western Maine woods. Which led him to wonder: What is the biology in humans of this primal pull toward a particular place, and how is it related to animal homing? In The Homing Instinct, Heinrich explores the fascinating mysteries of animal migration: how geese imprint true visual landscape memory; how scent trails are used by many creatures to locate their homes with pinpoint accuracy; and how even the tiniest of songbirds are equipped for solar and magnetic orienteering over vast distances. And he reminds us that to discount our human emotions toward home is to ignore biology itself. “A graceful blend of science and memoir . . . [Heinrich’s] ability to linger and simply be there for the moment when, for instance, an elderly spider descends from a silken strand to take the insect he offers her is the heart of his appeal.” —Julie Zickefoose, The Wall Street Journal “Deep and insightful writing.” —David Gessner, The Washington Post