Science about birds. Not New-Age pseudo-scientific clap trap

Peter Doherty's new book Sentinel Chickens was launched at Melbourne's charmingly convivial, almost rustic Embiggen bookstore yesterday evening with a witty intellectual aperitif from the author. Peter is an engageing informal speaker. His humourous commentary at the launch has convinced the Pundit he'll greatly enjoy the book when he gets a chance to curl up with it in a warm bed one of these wintery Melbourne nights. Zesty book publisher, MUP's Louise Adler is certainly on a roll, and Melbourne's book culture is alive and kicking up in Little Lonny Street.


From the back cover:

The idea of 'sentinel chickens' seemed pretty incongruous when I first heard the phrase as a young undergraduate ... The notion of the humble chicken waiting like a trained soldier, alert and focused, for some unseen and approaching enemy just didn't seem likely. Hens en garde! 

And yet guard they do. Not only chickens, but puffins, eagles, canaries and toucans—birds of all kinds arc recruited by humans to help us interpret changes in our increasingly challenged and unpredictable world. These wonderful creatures continually sample the atmosphere, oceans, fields and forests, signalling toxic and environmental dangers that threaten all vertebrates.
 Through personal stories and fascinating examples, Nobel prizewinner Peter Doherty shows also how birds have contributed to cutting-edge medical research. Studying birds has helped us to understand the nature of human cancer, malaria and influenza, and contributed to the development of new vaccines and cures. In his trademark style, Peter argues that since birds pollinate, spread plant seeds and control insects, endangering their habitats through human activities is a threat to our own wellbeing.
Sentinel Chickens shows us why we should give our feathered friends close, sustained and caring attention

Peter Doherty in full flight at Embiggen