Revised edition of a unique study that should interest all bird lovers 
BIRD DISPLAY AND BEHAVIOUR 
An Introduction to the Study of Bird Psychology 
by Edward A. Armstrong 
Bird display is a term which refers to movements, postures, sounds, 
and so forth— usually of a conventionalized sort— which initiate spe- 
cific responses from other members of the species. The often-elaborate 
rituals and procedures observed in the behavior of the birds of the 
world are extremely fascinating, even to the non-specialist. 
This work by a British authority is one of the most significant recent 
contributions to the whole field of birdlife study. The author’s ap- 
proach to the subject of bird display is entirely scientific; he combines 
results from the widely-scattered literature of first-hand observations, 
reports, and studies with his own investigations. His book is a com- 
prehensive account that gives basic information to naturalists, orni- 
thologists, bird watchers, etc.; yet the readable style and the intrin- 
sically interesting nature of the subject make this a volume that 
anyone can read and enjoy. 
A vast range of material relating to avian activities is considered. 
Beginning with the ceremonial behavior of a representative species— 
the gannet— the author discusses in full detail such matters as court- 
ship, feeding, nest-building rituals, ceremonial gaping, disablement 
reactions, distraction display, displacement activities and incongruous 
behavior, invitatory and nest-relief ceremonies, bird dances and song, 
display-flight, the function of social ceremonies, social hierarchy, and 
numerous related topics. These intriguing, and sometimes quite 
strange, activities are authoritatively, but non-technically, described in 
an interesting textual account that covers the display habits of hun- 
dreds of birds from all over the world— from Penguins to Woodpeckers 
to Umbrella Birds. 
$2.50 
This newly revised edition contains more than 60 photographs— 
including many new items. The photos illustrate such things as the 
Gannet solo bowing ceremony, Heron stick collecting, scrape ceremony 
of the Arctic Tern, Black Guillemot’s threat posture, Ruffs on the 
courtship arena, nuchal crest display of the Greater Bowerbird, and 
so on. This edition also offers a new preface by the author which 
reviews recent research and thinking in the field. 
“A notable contribution to scientific ornithology . . . crammed with 
remarkable facts about birds,” The Spectator. “Certainly one of the 
most useful and welcome bird books which has appeared for a long 
time. . . . The author has opened up a whole new field of extraordi- 
nary interest,” B. W. Tucker, British Birds. “The first comprehensive 
synthesis of observations of bird behavior. . . . Mr. Armstrong has 
done his work well and thoroughly,” The Listener. "Valuable and 
important,” Manchester Guardian. “His book is not only a work of 
science, it has the quality of literature,” S. Gwynn, Time and Tide. 
“A book that will be read eagerly by every conscientious and enthu- 
siastic watcher of birds,” B. Vesey-Fitzgerald, The Field. “(Despite 
his) strictly scientific approach, the book is so easily written that the 
general reader will find its interest well within his scope,” Times 
(London) Literary Supplement. 
Revised, corrected edition. New preface by the author. 33 plates. 
62 photographs. 30 line illustrations. Classified list of scientific bird 
names. 1,077-item bibliography. 3 indices, vii -f. 431pp. of text. 
5s/ 8 x 8i/ 2 . Paperbound $2.50 
