Lee Raye is an associate lecturer at the Open University and a Fellow of the Linnean Society specialising in the history of wild animals and plants in pre-industrial Britain and Ireland. Their translation of Robert Sibbald's (1684) Wild Plants of Scotland and The Animals of Scotland was published in 2020.
Description
Acknowledgements Copyright permissions INTRODUCTION Scope Early modern natural history Key sources Other sources Interpreting the sources Vernacular languages Trend since 1772 Geographical bias of top-quality records Identifying absence Comparison with modern data How to read the maps MAMMALS Rabbits and hares Rodents Carnivores Ungulates Seals Cetaceans BIRDS Waterfowl Game birds Divers Petrels and shearwaters Herons, storks and ibises Gannets and cormorants Raptors Bustards Cranes Waders, gulls and auks Owls Falcons Perching birds FISHES Lampreys Sturgeons Carps Pikes Smelts Salmonids Perches Sharks Skates and rays Eels Herrings White Fishes Anglers Mullets Gurnards Sandeels Bass Open-water Fishes Flat Fishes AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES Amphibians Reptiles INVERTEBRATES Molluscs Crustaceans Echinoderms CONCLUSIONS Overall analysis Groups that have expanded their range Groups that have reduced their range Problems with using the Little Ice Age as a baseline References Index and glossary of species names
Reviews
This is a work of scholarship and I for one am very grateful that the author carried out all this work and presented the results so clearly. -- Mark Avery, environmental campaigner and author of Reflections The book delves deeply into the writings of old naturalists, clergymen, poets, travellers and antiquarians - and the results are comprehensive and fascinating. -- Inkcap Journal Raye has managed to write a book which is authoritative and well-researched while maintaining an engaging writing style which makes it an attractive read... as a work which analyses the records of British and Irish wildlife in the early modern period, and does it in an accessible and interesting way, The Atlas of Early Modern Wildlife deserves high praise. -- Neil Fairley, BNA News Bulletin A truly masterful work that proved to be a compelling read about species from a long-forgotten era. It is well-researched, well-written and deserves to be well- read by modern naturalists, environmental/natural historians and anyone interested in our heritage and the natural world. The publishers have described this Atlas as 'ground- breaking', and I admit to having been very sceptical at first, but they are certainly not exaggerating with 21st century marketing 'spin'. I can unreservedly recommend this unique Atlas to all members as both an interesting and valuable addition to their bookshelves. -- Clive Herbert * The London Naturalist * I was looking forward to reading this publication, but even so I enjoyed it more than I expected. Mapping out the status and distribution of our wildlife from centuries ago is no mean feat, but Raye has produced a hugely informative and fascinating publication here, with a long list of references (28 pages!) testament to their thorough research. -- Ed Stubbs * Birdguides * A fascinating tale from naturalists, travellers and historians about the wildlife recorded between the Middle Ages and Industrial Revolution... It's an enjoyable read and an excellent introduction to historical ecology. -- Paul Ganderton * The Niche * I have been both impressed and surprised by the breadth of species Dr. Raye has been able to find observations for that justify their inclusion in the book... a fascinating work. -- John E. Riutta * The Well-read Naturalist * This book adds information about the distributions of a wide range of animals in this formative period in our history, providing a most useful historical baseline. -- Andrew Lack * IBIS * This interesting, well-written book is a most valuable resource that results from a huge, widely researched project for which Lee Raye is to be greatly commended. -- Mark Holling * Scottish Birds * There is a great deal of valuable information in this book. Many of the species chapters are fascinating and insightful... I was genuinely enlightened -- Michael Scott * Conservation Biology * ...a volume of critical scholarship encompassing a breathtaking range of material about early modern wildlife... an analytical compilation which deserves to be greatly admired. -- Eric L. Jones * Agricultural History Review * This is an undoubted labour of love that, despite all the difficulties of interpreting historical records, makes for a wonderful read. -- Tony Payne * The Glasgow Naturalist * What a fascinating book! ...this reference volume will be of great value to conservationists, archaeologists, historians and anyone with an interest in the natural history heritage of Britain and Ireland. -- Marsh Book Award judging panel