Drawn from the collections of the California Academy of Sciences, the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley, and the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, these 50 nests from around the world are rare treasures. Through Beals' loving lens, each becomes both a work of art and a natural artifact. Almost seeming to glow against velvety black backgrounds, every detail offers insight into the behavior and ingenuity of the nests' creators. From the tiny cup-shaped cocoon of the Anna's Hummingbird to the downy pillow of the Magnolia Warbler, every nest offers an intimate portrait of the bird that built it. -- DUST JACKET.