2012 Noteworthy Books 533 Biology, Management, and Culture of Walleye and Sauger. Bruce A. Barton (Ed.). 2011. American fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD. 570 pp. $79, softcover. ISBN 9781934874226. This new compendium serves as a single comprehensive source of information on the biology, ecology, management, and culture of Walleye and Sauger in North America. Early chapters cover Sander systematics, including osteological evidence and molecular and population genetics and recent advancements in stock identifi cation. Extensive information is documented on habitat requirements for various life-history stages and how these stages can be influenced by environmental perturbations. Other chapters describe environmental biology and feeding energetics, and provide details on Walleye and Sauger life histories, Walleye population and community dynamics in lakes that reflect the influence of lake size, fi shing methods, and various management techniques using case histories, and exploitation from recreational, commercial, aboriginal, and mixed fi sheries. Harvest regulations, sampling procedures, and their effectiveness are also reviewed and evaluated. final chapters review and analyze stocking procedures, marking techniques, ecological effects of stocking, and the state of the art of Walleye and hybrid Walleye culture. This reference work will be used by fi shery scientists, biologists, managers, culturists, students, and interested public such as anglers and conservationists. The Puffi n. Mike P. Harris and Sarah Wanless. 2012. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. 256 pp. $80 hardcover. ISBN 9780300186505. At sea for most of the year and preferring remote offshore islands for its breeding habitat, the Atlantic Puffi n has lived a life largely hidden from human observation. But now, thanks to persistent study by seabird scientists and exciting new research methods, many of the puffi n’s secrets can be told. This thorough and charmingly illustrated book reveals in detail the puffi n’s life history, behavior, ecology, population dynamics, and future prospects. Eminent seabird ecologists Mike P. Harris and Sarah Wanless create the most complete and up-to-date portrait of puffi ns ever published. Of particular interest are their recent insights into puffi ns’ winter whereabouts and activities while at sea, made possible by miniature, bird-borne tracking devices that provide unprecedented records of bird activity. A field Guide to the Ants of New England. Aaron M. Ellison, Nicholas J. Gotelli, Elizabeth J. Farnsworth, and Gary D. Alpert. 2012. Yale University 533 Press, New Haven, CT. 416 pp. $29.95, softcover. ISBN 9780300169300. This book is the fi rst userfriendly regional guide devoted to ants—the “little things that run the world.” Lavishly illustrated with more than 500 line drawings, 300-plus photographs, and regional distribution maps as composite illustrations for every species, this guide will introduce amateur and professional naturalists and biologists, teachers and students, and environmental managers and pest-control professionals to more than 140 ant species found in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. The detailed drawings and species descriptions, together with the high-magnifi cation photographs, will allow anyone to identify and learn about ants and their diversity, ecology, life histories, and beauty. In addition, the book includes sections on collecting ants, ant ecology and evolution, natural history, and patterns of geographic distribution and diversity to help readers gain a greater understanding and appreciation of ants. The Secret Lives of Ants. Jae Choe. 2012. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 184 pp. $34.95, softcover. ISBN 9781421404288. In the great naturalist tradition of E.O. Wilson, Jae Choe takes readers into a miniature world dominated by six-legged organisms. This is the world of the ant, an insect that humans, as well as most other life forms, depend upon for their very survival. Easily one of the most important animals on earth, ants seem to mirror the actions, emotions, and industries of the human population, often more effectively than humans do themselves. They developed ranching and farming long before humans, and their division of labor resembles the assembly lines of automobile factories and multinational enterprises. Self-sacrifi ce and a fi nely tuned chemical language are the foundations of their monarchical society, which is capable of waging large-scale warfare and taking slaves. Tales of their massacres and atrocities, as well as struggles for power, are all too reminiscent of our own. The reality of ant society is more fascinating than even the most creative minds could imagine. Choe combines expert scientifi c knowledge with a real passion for these miniscule marvels. His vivid descriptions are paired with captivating illustrations and photographs to introduce readers to the economics, culture, and intrigue of the ant world. All of nature is revealed through the secret lives of the amazing ants. In the words of the author, “Once you get to know them, you'll love them.” Noteworthy Books Received by the Northeastern Naturalist, Issue 19/3, 2012 534 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 19, No. 3 Plants of the Chesapeake Bay: A Guide to Wildfl owers, Grasses, Aquatic Vegetation, Trees, Shrubs, and Other Flora. Lytton John Musselman and David A. Knepper. 2012. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 232 pp. $65, softcover. ISBN 9781421404981. Buttonbush. Hercules’ Club. Panic Grass. Tearthumb. Beach Spurge. Sea Rocket. Ladies’ Tresses. These name a few of the wild and wonderful plants found in this quick reference guide to plants of the Chesapeake Bay. Written by wetland scientists with decades of experience in the Bay’s waterways, this guide includes detailed descriptions and beautiful photographs of the plants most commonly found in the Chesapeake Bay. Grasses, trees, wildflowers, aquatic vegetation—if it grows in the tidal or nearshore regions of the Bay, chances are it is in this book, the features of which include: over 200 illustrations; information on more than 100 species of plants; clear, accessible descriptions of each plant accompanied by close-up photographs for quick, accurate identifi cation; discussion of where to fi nd each plant, how they reproduce, and how humans use them; and easy-to-follow organization by habitat. The guide’s vivid text and photographs make the wide array of plants along the waters, marshes, and shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay easy to identify and wondrous to behold. Its compact, portable design encourages naturalists, local residents, boaters, researchers, and the curious-minded alike to throw the guide in their pack and explore the botanical bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. field Guide to Nature of New England. Kenn Kaufman and Kimberly Kaufman. 2012. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA. 416 pp. $20, softcover. ISBN 9780618456970. Whether you’re walking in the woods or along the beach, camping, hiking, canoeing, or just enjoying your own backyard, this book will help identify all your nature discoveries. With authoritative and broad coverage, using nontechnical and lively language and more than 2000 color photographs, this guide is an essential reference for nature lovers living in or visiting New England. While not as detailed as more specifi c fi eld guides, with different sections covering land and sky, habitats, wildflowers, trees and large shrubs, vines and groundcovers, other plants, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, fi shes, butterflies and moths, other insects, other invertebrates, beach and tidepool life, and conservation, this reference book is broadly comprehensive in focus. A good choice for those venturing outside in New England who want to take just one guide with them. Peterson field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie. 2012. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA. 624 pp. $29, softcover. ISBN 9780547238487. There are thousands of moth species in the northeast of North America, and while it might seem that they are all drab grays and browns, there is actually a startling variety. They come in a rainbow of colors, from brilliant oranges and pinks to soft greens and violets. There are moths with colorful leopardlike spots, and ones that look more like B-movie aliens; some that are as large as your hand, and others the size of a grain of rice. With helpful tips on how to attract and identify moths, range maps and season graphs showing at a glance when and where to fi nd each species, and clear photographs that use the unique Peterson arrow system for easy identifi cation, this guide provides everything an amateur or experienced moth-watcher needs. The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America. Bill Thompson III. 2012. Houghton Miffl in, Boston, MA. 368 pp. $15.95, softcover. ISBN 9780547440217. Covering 300 of the most common birds in all of the United States and Canada, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America is loaded with color photographs, drawings showing typical behaviors, range maps, an easy-to-use checklist, fun facts, and authoritative information about each bird, its vocalizations, and its habitat. While other fi eld guides might overwhelm kids who are new to birding, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America was created with help from kids. Bill Thompson’s own son and daughter and their elementary school classes helped select the content. Kid tested, kid approved! A great tool for helping to foster children’s excitement about the feathered fauna that share out world. The Northeastern Naturalist welcomes submissions of review copies of books that publishers or authors would like to recommend to the journal’s readership and are relevant to the journal’s mission of publishing information about the natural history of the northeastern US. Accompanying short, descriptive summaries of the text are also welcome.