The wise old owl isn't really wise, and the expression "blind as a bat" is nonsense because bats actually have very good vision. The clever coyote deserves his nickname "wily," however, and opossums really do go into a trancelike state when frightened. This book takes several of our commonly held beliefs about wildlife and gives us the real story behind each--often quite different from what we've always believed! Shedd, a naturalist [has had] articles appear in Sports Afield and Outdoor Life. He gives us the real scoop on the habits and lifestyles of 27 common North American animals and makes it an entertaining read by including personal anecdotes of his encounters with many of these creatures. Recommended for public libraries, this will be a favorite with wildlife enthusiasts everywhere. --

Deborah Emerson, Leroy V. Good Lib., Monroe Community Coll., Rochester, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.