Collins New Naturalist Library

Collins New Naturalist Library
L. Harrison Matthews

Mammals in the British Isles looks at the influences on their numbers and distribution, both now and in the past, examines aspects of their biology with emphasis on function and physiology, and concludes with an account of relationships with man.This book by Dr Harrison Matthews will be warmly welcomed by all those for whom his British Mammals, in this series, was a standard work for nearly 30 years. In recent years our understanding of the British species has expanded greatly. This volume offers a synthesis of modern knowledge derived from living animals studied in the field and covering all facets of mammalian life in the British Isles. It will be as important to a new generation of naturalists as the previous book was to an older one.The book is full of fascinating detail – of the shrews which scream in defence of territory to avoid fighting; of young rats that play to learn while adult otters play for fun; of vole 'plague' populations which crash as a result of stress; of monogamy and parental care of the dog fox – but it also paints a broader picture of interdependence, conservation and the part played by man.As much a part of nature as any other member of the fauna, it is man who has created the character of the environment – by clearing, draining, building and developing agriculture – and made available the wide variety of habitats occupied by indigenous, introduced and feral populations.Dr Harrison Matthews gives a general account of British mammals and the things influencing their numbers and distribution both now and in the past, examines aspects of their biology with emphasis on function and physiology, and concludes with an account of relationships with man and the measures he has taken for their control and conservation.

COPYRIGHT (#ulink_988af9f3-c520-5db0-b57e-454720bd2208)

William Collins

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF

WilliamCollinsBooks.com (http://WilliamCollinsBooks.com)

This eBook edition published by William Collins in 2019

First published 1982

Copyright © L. Harrison Matthews 1982

L. Harrison Matthews asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Black and white reproduction by

Adroit Photo-Litho Ltd, Birmingham

HarperCollinsPublishers has made every reasonable effort to ensure that any picture content and written content in this ebook has been included or removed in accordance with the contractual and technological constraints in operation at the time of publication.

Source ISBN 9780007417643

Ebook Edition © FEBRUARY 2019 ISBN: 9780007406562

Version: 2019–02–26

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[Page numbers taken from the following print edition: ISBN 9780007406562]

EDITORS

Margaret Davies, C.B.E., M.A., Ph.D.

Kenneth Mellanby, C.B.E., Sc.D.

S.M. Walters, M.A., Ph.D.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITOR

Eric Hosking, F.R.P.S.

The aim of this series is to interest the general reader in the wild life of Britain by recapturing the inquiring spirit of the old naturalists. The Editors believe that the natural pride of the British public in the native fauna and flora. to which must be added concern for their conservation, is best fostered by maintaining a high standard of accuracy combined with clarity of exposition in presenting the results of modern scientific research.

CONTENTS

COVER (#uc6b73b2f-0c45-5e7d-a041-ee60e42ba1f1)

TITLE PAGE (#u575e6921-cc68-5821-834d-eb7c97abc911)

COPYRIGHT (#ucd105388-b31e-5e92-a80d-f84cc108c15f)

Note to Readers (#u041acd61-5508-577a-96de-1a04dcdc3c8e)

PLATES (#u7c4f1209-f35e-50fd-bfc5-2f2d045c14b8)

EDITORS’ PREFACE (#ua7bf7cad-6516-5200-b3e3-efb712d399de)

AUTHOR’S PREFACE (#u6c6978ad-698e-5835-a9bd-f4eea2eefe85)

1. (#u92d9331a-a103-5bb2-94c7-f54a6c19a462)The Mammals of the British Isles (#u92d9331a-a103-5bb2-94c7-f54a6c19a462)

2. (#ub32c0dcb-1dc0-577c-ae8a-268e4047d9b3)Ice Ages (#ub32c0dcb-1dc0-577c-ae8a-268e4047d9b3)

3. (#uba1bb3a4-8610-500b-9805-0eb0fdf76132)The Evolution of the Environment (#uba1bb3a4-8610-500b-9805-0eb0fdf76132)

4. (#litres_trial_promo)Distribution and Habitats (#litres_trial_promo)

5. (#litres_trial_promo)Ranges, Territories and Populations (#litres_trial_promo)

6. (#litres_trial_promo)Social Behaviour (#litres_trial_promo)

7. (#litres_trial_promo)Behaviour and the Environment (#litres_trial_promo)

8. (#litres_trial_promo)Communication (#litres_trial_promo)

9. (#litres_trial_promo)Internal and External Rhythms (#litres_trial_promo)

10. (#litres_trial_promo)Man and the other Mammals (#litres_trial_promo)

PICTURE SECTION (#litres_trial_promo)