R. M. Lockley (1903–2000)

Sometime around 1980, Richard Adams took a tourist cruise ship to the Antarctic and then to New Zealand. It's a short book with lots of photographs. Adams is a nature lover so the focus is on the wildlife, mainly birds. They stopped at Scott's hut and Adams shows his age by remarking how the labels on the 80 year old food tins reminded him of his childhood. The highlight of the trip for him was when the ship was surrounded by dozens of breaching whales. They take Zodiac boats to shore and show more walk among the sea lions and penguins. On the way north they stop at Enderby Island which is still fresh in my memory from the classic Island of the Lost by Joan Druett, the descriptions match well how I recalled it. They stop at another island overrun by yes, rabbits. This might be a good book to take on such a trip, or in lieu of one, the age of it holds up fine and Adams is a gentle character. show less

This is apparently *the* original rabbit behavior reference, but it's so completely dated (and the study methods are too!) that it was a bore to get through. The drawings were not conducive to understanding, and the author was so brief over some interesting bits. Stick with journal articles if you're interested.

A great work by a great naturalist -- well-organized collection of coney wonders based on patient and pain-staking observations of natural warrens, as well as the 'tamed' hutches. Many examples of how many "myths" we discover in our own beliefs gainsaid by facts. The true nature of rabbits, as with nature in general, is little understood. For example, they are not merely "cuteness", but are endowed with great courage and resourcefulness. They fight their enemies, as well as each other. They show more are not unusually promiscuous, but often mate for life.
The 1974 American edition of Lockley's 1964 work has an Introduction by Richard Adams, the author of WATERSHIP DOWN. show less

I was put off in the first few pages by his extreme dislike of draft dodgers and pacifists, which borders onto hatred. Given that this is set during World War II, I can understand why someone would have gone to some length to avoid active service at that time: although arguably essential, it would not have been a pleasant experience.

Then, when I was trying to get over that, he talks at length about how he is 'improving' upon nature by introducing new farming methods. On the one hand, he show more claims to love nature on the island he lives on, on the other he can't wait to get out the agricultural chemicals and ploughs and get rid of it all.

I can't say I read much after this, I kind of lost sympathy for him and his project (setting up a farm on an island) after that. show less