The Life of the Robin

by David Lack

Life of the Robin (The Fontana new naturalist series) Lack, David

Genres: Nonfiction, Birds, Natural History, Nature, Science, Ornithology, Animals

Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

Reviews

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a classic work of ornithological study, revolutionary in its time, by a very well respected author. It contains a wealth of information about Robins and other birds, much of it based on the author's own research over many years.

Unfortunately, the style is extremely dated, reading rather like a doctoral thesis of the more plodding kind. After ploughing through the early chapters, I skim-read the rest. I learnt a bit about Robins, although I suspect that a lot of the interpretation of behaviour and migration will have been superseded by later work.

I will keep this book for reference, but even there it is not very satisfactory, as basic information like clutch size and incubation period would require a bit of digging to find - and is not summarised in a simple way when found.

[ClareT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most quoted animal behaviour books. Written in the 1940s it has stood the test of time remarkably well. Although the language is a bit dated and sometimes it is repetitive, it is still a great read. Anyone interested in their garden birds will find something new, whether it is about territorial aggression or mate recognition or migration. That said there has probably been an awful lot more work done since, but this will probably expand on David Lack's work rather than replace it.
Recommended if you can find a cheap copy somewhere.

[Tait Chandler]

An in-depth, observational account of the British Robin and it's behavioral ecology in the 1940s and 1950s. Good to read to understand observational technique and learn how one studied birds at that time.

[Jonathan Hutchins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. A classic, and well-written

[Borisbadenough · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful study of our little garden friend

[Joe Downie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nature classic, although I found the level of detail almost too much to take in. Quite dense at times! But also groundbreaking and an amazing achievement to study birds so closely and make so many discoveries.

[Roman Weishäupl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in Robins this book is for you. Helps you to understand what the little guy is doing in your garden. But it's not that fun to read due to its old writing style.

[Gerard Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful study of the robin, first published in the 1940s based on studies in South Devon, an early example of the use of bird ringing to aid identification. I loved the stuff about their territorial behaviour, how a small wood becomes a world divided into four or five kingdoms with clear boundaries...

[Mark Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A very accessible and comprehensive read.