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Subtitled a Study in Comparative Zoology, in which are set forth numerous facts and reflections by one of us about both of us, this engaging large octavo 340 page work is entitled a place in these volumes, even if some millions of years of evolution have separated the actual biological development of woodpeckers and man.
We were about to write “advance” but bearing in mind the context of this delightful volume, one may well ponder, as does the thoroughly qualified naturalist, what kind of advance?
The woodpecker uses a beak, not at all well adapted to collect acorns, yet it does it as well as many of us use our hands to collect vital substances, often a great deal better than many of us, else where would W.P.A. and other incitors to indolence have any raison d'etre. Apparently there are no lazy woodpeckers, or else Dr. Ritter is very indulgent in not calling attention to them. Perhaps they would perish, and asserting the thought to man, so what?
It is surprising and stimulating to learn what the woodpecker taught Dr. Ritter, and not the woodpecker alone, but the trees, their bark and inflorescence, their rise and fall. Both the woodpecker and himself, he writes, are living bodies and bodies living in that particular fashion that makes us animal bodies.
Here is an excursion into comparative zoölogy far above the otology studies in ‘personality’ issuing from our academic psychological laboratories, be they formulated in behavioristic, gestalt or other popular generalizations. Here one is not bored with such academic discussions, this is a live, hearty, readable and delightful work. Would that more of us had the chance to observe and discourse with and about woodpeckers, Californian or elsewhere.