A Naturalist amid Tropical Splendor
For over 50 years Skutch, the dean of neotropical ornithology, has sprinkled his natural history writings with his philosophy of nature and man. This volume is divided between natural history of tropical organisms (mostly birds) and his perspectives on subjects such as the origin of beauty, ethics, and feeling close to nature. His descriptions of events in nature are accurate but his interpretation of those events and the role of humans in nature stems more from his idealistic philosophy than from reality. For example, he counsels against conservationists saving "savage and destructive" predators. Recommended, with reservations, for collections serving lay readers and specialists. James R. Karr, Smithsonian Tropical Research Inst., Balboa, PanamaCopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.