Birds & Bees: A Sexual Study

by Dugald Stermer

A descriptive visual essay explores the procreation cycles of the animal kingdom, covering everything from birds to amphibians to mammals and providing accurate illustrations that accompany detailed explanations of the mating practices of each species.

Genres: Sexuality, Animals, Science, Nature, Art, Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

Reviews

[Scar · Rating 3 out of 5]

New words:


co·i·tus
1. sexual intercourse.




cul·mi·nate
1. reach a climax or point of highest development
clo·a·ca
1. a common cavity at the end of the digestive tract for the release of both excretory and genital products in vertebrates (except most mammals) and certain invertebrates. Specifically, the cloaca is present in birds, reptiles, amphibians, most fish, and monotremes.


per·mat·o·phore
spərˈmadəˌ
plural noun: spermatophores
1. a protein capsule containing a mass of spermatozoa, transferred during mating in various insects, arthropods, cephalopod mollusks, etc.




de·lin·e·ate
1. describe or portray (something) precisely.



es·trus
1. a recurring period of sexual receptivity and fertility in many female mammals; heat.




ab·er·ra·tion
1. a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome




a·droit
1. clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.




e·qua·nim·i·ty
1. mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.




ves·tig·i·al
2. very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable."he felt a vestigial flicker of anger from last night"



[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Cute and the illustrations are beautiful but the text is just okay.

[Shelby Koning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting art book I picked up for a dollar along the way. Hand drawn illustration and snippets of facts about courting, mating and procreation amongst a variety of species. I did feel like the one human example was presented in a very "othered" way and it felt problematic, but otherwise, was very entertaining!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only place I've seen this book is in used bookstores, which is a shame. It's a coffee table book illustrated with Stermer's gorgeous watercolors of animals. The book is separated into three parts: Foreplay: the rituals of display, dispute, and seduction; Mating: from engagement to exchange; and Procreation: waiting, watching, and protecting. Opposite each drawing/watercolor is a short paragraph with interesting information about the sexual behavior of the animal pictured, such as the slipper limpet, which starts life as male, then becomes female when it attaches to a rock; osprey, who court their mates with several weeks of sky dancing, and the gray kangaroo, females of which species have three vaginal tracts.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are purdy, and that's why I got this. The text is disappointing, really not thorough, but I guess that's not what many people would read it for.

[Kittiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the art work water colors in this, I found the information about the varies animals and insects to be interesting.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, great illustrations.