632 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 15, No.4 632 Book Reviews of the Northeastern Naturalist, Issue 15/4, 2008 Birds: The Art of Ornithology. Jonathon Elphick. 2002. Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. New York, NY. 336 pp. $19.95. ISBN 9780847831340. This diminutive book (5½” x 6”) is packed with beautiful color plates spanning several centuries of bird art. The text follows a chronology beginning with an overview of prehistory. As engraving replaced woodcut as the preferred method for artistic reproduction in the mid-seventeenth century, ornithological publications gained popular appeal. Elphick covers several time periods between 1650 and the present in detail, including hundreds of annotated color plates. This book will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in bird art and the artists that made ornithology accessible and popular. C.R. A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology. Sahotra Sarkar and Anya Plutynski (Eds.). 2008. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA. 589 pp. $199.95, hardcover. ISBN 9781405125727. This book consists of a series of essays addressing the ethical and philosophical issues raised by scientific advances in biology, genetics, evolution, and medicine. The approach taken by the thirty-one contributors to this effort is to focus on the conceptual and methodological issues that arise in the practice of biology. Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy. An integral part of a larger companion series that provides a survey of philosophy as a whole. S.E. Science and Conservation of Vernal Pools in Northeastern North America. Aram J.K. Calhoun and Phillip G. deMaynadier (Eds.). 2007. CRC Press, Boca Raton, fl. 363 pp. $99.95, hardcover. ISBN 0849336759. The importance of vernal pools in the northeastern forests of North America as essential habitat for a variety of plants, invertebrates, and amphibians has resulted in legislation designed to protect them from development in Maine and other states. This text draws from a broad array of sources to present the latest information required by natural resource professionals for the conservation of vernal pools. The thirty-three contributors to this effort describe the physical parameters of vernal pools, the natural history of their biota, and conservation strategies to preserve them. Illustrated with fifteen color plates depicting various types of vernal pools and the life forms associated with them. This book is a science-based text, with numerous figures, tables, and references, and it is designed to be used as a practical management guide for resource professionals. S.E. Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky. Thomas G. Barnes, Deborah White, and Marc Evans. 2008. The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. 190 pp. $39.95, hardcover. ISBN 9780813124964. This beautiful book is meant to entertain and educate readers about species on the state’s endangered or threatened list. The introductory chapter explains the reasons for declining native species and for protecting native plants. An overview of the natural communities of Kentucky is punctuated with beautiful photographs. The concept of rarity is discussed as well as extinction and preservation. The rare plants themselves are arranged by community and accompanied by discussion of their habitat, populations, and requirements. Common names for plants are used throughout, making this a very accessible book. Beautiful color photographs illustrate 220 of the rare plants described. This impressive and informative book will be valued not only by conservationists, but by gardeners and naturalists as well. C.R. Book Reviewers: S.E. = Stephen Eddy, C.R. = Cathy Rees.