Darwin's Finches

by David Lack, Laurene M. Ratcliffe (Introduction), Peter T. Boag (Introduction)

David Lack's classic work on the finches of the Galapagos Islands (Darwin's Finches) was first published in 1947; few books have had such a great impact on evolutionary biology, indeed it is still one of the most succinct and fascinating treatises ever written about the origin of new species. The 1947 version is reproduced with facsimile pages of the original text, tables and line illustrations. The major feature of this reprint is the additional material supplied by Dr Peter Boag and Dr Laurene Ratcliffe who have both completed studies on the Galapagos. The readership will comprise students of evolution and ecology and those interested in the history of evolutionary thought. Amateur ornithologists and tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands will find this account fascinating.

Genres: Science, Evolution

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1983

Reviews

[john lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was in keeping with my books to read before we go to the Galapagos next year. It seems this book is THE follow up book following Darwin's work on the Galapagos finches.

It's scientific and I'll admit I skimmed some of the more detailed studies of the little birds. But he's an interesting writer so the flow is good.

The islands are an interesting place for many reasons, such as.
- They were the only place on earth where European explorers found no humans to greet them. It's just islands and animals.
- For this reason, the animals were originally not afraid of humans. Birds would land on peoples' shoulders, the sea lions and seals would rub against people's legs.
- Man, of course, has wiped out many animals and birds just by showing up.
- It's an isolated group of islands, about 600 miles west of Ecuador.
- It's on the equator but there are penguins. This is due to the Pacific currents.
- Some animals and birds and plants somehow got to the deserted islands and took over, like nature does with any spot of land. From there, in the isolation, they formed new species. Hence, natural selection and adaptation.

Highlights...
- the chiffchaff and the willow warbler... (CHIFFCHAFF is a bird!)
- Darwin's finches form a little world of their own, not however, a peculiar world, but one which intimately reflects the word as a whole, so that with these birds, as Darwin wrote, we are brought somewhat nearer than usual "to that great fact--that mystery of mysteries--the first appearance of new beings on this earth."

Interesting stuff.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy, interesting read, a good introduction to semi-current thoughts on evolution.