Resources
To help you get started at exploring the various topics in more detail, the faculty of the Basic Ornithology course have put together some further reading material. This is just a very brief list; much more information is an internet search away!
Why Study Birds?
1. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2. Gill, F. A., Prum, R. O. & Robinson, S. K. (2020). Ornithology, 4th ed. W.H. Freeman.
3. Birkhead, T., Wimpenny, J., & Montgomerie, B. (2014). Ten thousand birds: ornithology since Darwin. Princeton University Press.
4. Pettingill, O. S. (2013). Ornithology in laboratory and field. Elsevier.
5. Farber, P. L. (1997). Discovering birds: the emergence of ornithology as a scientific discipline, 1760-1850 (p. x). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
2. Gill, F. A., Prum, R. O. & Robinson, S. K. (2020). Ornithology, 4th ed. W.H. Freeman.
3. Birkhead, T., Wimpenny, J., & Montgomerie, B. (2014). Ten thousand birds: ornithology since Darwin. Princeton University Press.
4. Pettingill, O. S. (2013). Ornithology in laboratory and field. Elsevier.
5. Farber, P. L. (1997). Discovering birds: the emergence of ornithology as a scientific discipline, 1760-1850 (p. x). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Avian Diversity and Classification
1. Sibley, C. G., & Ahlquist, J. E. (1983). Phylogeny and classification of birds based on the data of DNA-DNA hybridization. In Current ornithology (pp. 245-292). Springer, Boston, MA.
2. Cracraft, J. (2013). Avian higher-level relationships and classification: nonpasseriforms. The Howard and Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world, 1, 21-47.
3. Hackett, S. J., Kimball, R. T., Reddy, S., Bowie, R. C., Braun, E. L., Braun, M. J., … & Huddleston, C. J. (2008). A phylogenomic study of birds reveals their evolutionary history. Science, 320(5884), 1763-1768.
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2. Cracraft, J. (2013). Avian higher-level relationships and classification: nonpasseriforms. The Howard and Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world, 1, 21-47.
3. Hackett, S. J., Kimball, R. T., Reddy, S., Bowie, R. C., Braun, E. L., Braun, M. J., … & Huddleston, C. J. (2008). A phylogenomic study of birds reveals their evolutionary history. Science, 320(5884), 1763-1768.
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Evolution and Speciation
1. Zhou, Z. (2004). The origin and early evolution of birds: discoveries, disputes, and perspectives from fossil evidence. Naturwissenschaften, 91(10), 455-471.
2. Feduccia, A. (2003). ‘Big bang’ for tertiary birds? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 18(4), 172-176.
3. Xu, X., Zhou, Z., Dudley, R., Mackem, S., Chuong, C. M., Erickson, G. M., & Varricchio, D. J. (2014). An integrative approach to understanding bird origins. Science, 346(6215), 1253293.
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2. Feduccia, A. (2003). ‘Big bang’ for tertiary birds? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 18(4), 172-176.
3. Xu, X., Zhou, Z., Dudley, R., Mackem, S., Chuong, C. M., Erickson, G. M., & Varricchio, D. J. (2014). An integrative approach to understanding bird origins. Science, 346(6215), 1253293.
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Morphology
1. Hanson, T. (2011). Feathers: the evolution of a natural miracle. Basic Books.
2. Prum, R. O. (1999). Development and evolutionary origin of feathers. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 285(4), 291-306.
3. Zahavi, A. (1975). Mate selection—a selection for a handicap. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 53(1), 205-214.
4. Turner, A. H., Pol, D., Clarke, J. A., Erickson, G. M., & Norell, M. A. (2007). A basal dromaeosaurid and size evolution preceding avian flight. Science, 317(5843), 1378-1381.
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2. Prum, R. O. (1999). Development and evolutionary origin of feathers. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 285(4), 291-306.
3. Zahavi, A. (1975). Mate selection—a selection for a handicap. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 53(1), 205-214.
4. Turner, A. H., Pol, D., Clarke, J. A., Erickson, G. M., & Norell, M. A. (2007). A basal dromaeosaurid and size evolution preceding avian flight. Science, 317(5843), 1378-1381.
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Avian Anatomy and Physiology
1. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2. Schmidt-Nielsen, K. (1997). Animal Physiology. 5th Ed, Cambridge University Press.
3. Kardong. K. (2016). Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function and Evolution. 6th Ed. McGraw-Hill Education.
4. Lucas, A. M. (1972). Avian anatomy: integument. US Agricultural Research Service.
5. Sturkie, P. D. (Ed.). (2012). Avian physiology. Springer Science & Business Media.
2. Schmidt-Nielsen, K. (1997). Animal Physiology. 5th Ed, Cambridge University Press.
3. Kardong. K. (2016). Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function and Evolution. 6th Ed. McGraw-Hill Education.
4. Lucas, A. M. (1972). Avian anatomy: integument. US Agricultural Research Service.
5. Sturkie, P. D. (Ed.). (2012). Avian physiology. Springer Science & Business Media.
Life Histories
1. Martin, T. E. (1995). Avian life history evolution in relation to nest sites, nest predation, and food. Ecological Monographs, 65(1), 101-127.
2. Sæther, B. E., & Bakke, Ø. (2000). Avian life history variation and contribution of demographic traits to the population growth rate. Ecology, 81(3), 642-653.
3. Martin, T. E. (2004). Avian life-history evolution has an eminent past: does it have a bright future? The Auk, 121(2), 289-301.
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2. Sæther, B. E., & Bakke, Ø. (2000). Avian life history variation and contribution of demographic traits to the population growth rate. Ecology, 81(3), 642-653.
3. Martin, T. E. (2004). Avian life-history evolution has an eminent past: does it have a bright future? The Auk, 121(2), 289-301.
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Foraging Behaviour
1. Monaghan, P., Walton, P., Wanless, S., Uttley, J. D., & Bljrns, M. D. (1994). Effects of prey abundance on the foraging behaviour, diving efficiency and time allocation of breeding guillemots Uria aalge. Ibis, 136(2), 214-222.
2. Overington, S. E., Cauchard, L., Côté, K. A., & Lefebvre, L. (2011). Innovative foraging behaviour in birds: what characterizes an innovator? Behavioural Processes, 87(3), 274-285.
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2. Overington, S. E., Cauchard, L., Côté, K. A., & Lefebvre, L. (2011). Innovative foraging behaviour in birds: what characterizes an innovator? Behavioural Processes, 87(3), 274-285.
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Mating and Breeding
1. Andersson, M. (1994). Sexual Selection. Princeton University Press
2. Emlen, S. T. & Oring, L. W. (1977). Ecology, sexual selection, and the evolution of mating systems. Science 197: 215-223
3. Davies, N. B. (2000). Cuckoos, Cowbirds, and other Cheats. T. & A.D. Poyser
4. Greenwood, P. J. (1980). Mating systems, philopatry and dispersal in birds and mammals. Animal behaviour, 28(4), 1140-1162.
5. Orians, G. H. (1969). On the evolution of mating systems in birds and mammals. The American Naturalist, 103(934), 589-603.
2. Emlen, S. T. & Oring, L. W. (1977). Ecology, sexual selection, and the evolution of mating systems. Science 197: 215-223
3. Davies, N. B. (2000). Cuckoos, Cowbirds, and other Cheats. T. & A.D. Poyser
4. Greenwood, P. J. (1980). Mating systems, philopatry and dispersal in birds and mammals. Animal behaviour, 28(4), 1140-1162.
5. Orians, G. H. (1969). On the evolution of mating systems in birds and mammals. The American Naturalist, 103(934), 589-603.
Social and Vocal Behaviour
1. Robin, V. V., Katti, M., Purushotham, C., Sancheti, A., & Sinha, A. (2011). Singing in the sky: song variation in an endemic bird on the sky islands of southern India. Animal Behaviour, 82(3), 513-520.
2. Catchpole, C. K., & Slater, P. J. (2003). Bird song: biological themes and variations. Cambridge university press.
3. Gil, D., & Gahr, M. (2002). The honesty of bird song: multiple constraints for multiple traits. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17(3), 133-141.
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2. Catchpole, C. K., & Slater, P. J. (2003). Bird song: biological themes and variations. Cambridge university press.
3. Gil, D., & Gahr, M. (2002). The honesty of bird song: multiple constraints for multiple traits. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17(3), 133-141.
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Migration
1. Alerstam, T. (1993). Bird migration. Cambridge University Press.
2. Berthold, P. (2001). Bird migration: a general survey. Oxford University Press on Demand.
3. Berthold, P. (1996). Control of bird migration. Springer Science & Business Media.
4. Alerstam, T., & Hedenström, A. (1998). The development of bird migration theory. Journal of Avian Biology, 343-369.
5. Pennycuick, C. J. (1969). The mechanics of bird migration. Ibis, 111(4), 525-556.
2. Berthold, P. (2001). Bird migration: a general survey. Oxford University Press on Demand.
3. Berthold, P. (1996). Control of bird migration. Springer Science & Business Media.
4. Alerstam, T., & Hedenström, A. (1998). The development of bird migration theory. Journal of Avian Biology, 343-369.
5. Pennycuick, C. J. (1969). The mechanics of bird migration. Ibis, 111(4), 525-556.
Bird Populations
1. Williams, B. K., Nichols, J. D., & Conroy, M. J. (2002). Analysis and management of animal populations. Academic Press.
2. Kendeigh, S. C. (1944). Measurement of bird populations. Ecological Monographs, 14(1), 67-106.
3. Ralph, C. J., Sauer, J. R., & Droege, S. (1995). Monitoring bird populations by point counts. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-149. Albany, CA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 187 p, 149.
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2. Kendeigh, S. C. (1944). Measurement of bird populations. Ecological Monographs, 14(1), 67-106.
3. Ralph, C. J., Sauer, J. R., & Droege, S. (1995). Monitoring bird populations by point counts. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-149. Albany, CA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 187 p, 149.
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Bird Communities
1. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2. Wiens, J. A. (1992). The ecology of bird communities (Vol. 1). Cambridge University Press.
3. Raman, T. S. (2001). Effect of slash‐and‐burn shifting cultivation on rainforest birds in Mizoram, northeast India. Conservation Biology, 15(3), 685-698.
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2. Wiens, J. A. (1992). The ecology of bird communities (Vol. 1). Cambridge University Press.
3. Raman, T. S. (2001). Effect of slash‐and‐burn shifting cultivation on rainforest birds in Mizoram, northeast India. Conservation Biology, 15(3), 685-698.
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Biogeography
1. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2. Ramachandran, V., Robin, V. V., Tamma, K., & Ramakrishnan, U. (2017). Climatic and geographic barriers drive distributional patterns of bird phenotypes within peninsular India. Journal of Avian Biology, 48(5), 620-630.
3. White, A. E. (2016). Geographical barriers and dispersal propensity interact to limit range expansions of Himalayan birds. The American Naturalist, 188(1), 99-112.
4. Srinivasan, U., Tamma, K., & Ramakrishnan, U. (2014). Past climate and species ecology drive nested species richness patterns along an east‐west axis in the H imalaya. Global ecology and biogeography, 23(1), 52-60.
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2. Ramachandran, V., Robin, V. V., Tamma, K., & Ramakrishnan, U. (2017). Climatic and geographic barriers drive distributional patterns of bird phenotypes within peninsular India. Journal of Avian Biology, 48(5), 620-630.
3. White, A. E. (2016). Geographical barriers and dispersal propensity interact to limit range expansions of Himalayan birds. The American Naturalist, 188(1), 99-112.
4. Srinivasan, U., Tamma, K., & Ramakrishnan, U. (2014). Past climate and species ecology drive nested species richness patterns along an east‐west axis in the H imalaya. Global ecology and biogeography, 23(1), 52-60.
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Macroecology
1. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2. Pianka, E. R. (1966). Latitudinal gradients in species diversity: a review of concepts. The American Naturalist, 100(910), 33-46.
3. McCain, C. M. (2009). Global analysis of bird elevational diversity. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 18(3), 346-360.
4. Kissling, W. D., Rahbek, C., & Böhning-Gaese, K. (2007). Food plant diversity as broad-scale determinant of avian frugivore richness. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274(1611), 799-808.
5. Brown, J. H. (1995). Macroecology. University of Chicago Press.
2. Pianka, E. R. (1966). Latitudinal gradients in species diversity: a review of concepts. The American Naturalist, 100(910), 33-46.
3. McCain, C. M. (2009). Global analysis of bird elevational diversity. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 18(3), 346-360.
4. Kissling, W. D., Rahbek, C., & Böhning-Gaese, K. (2007). Food plant diversity as broad-scale determinant of avian frugivore richness. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274(1611), 799-808.
5. Brown, J. H. (1995). Macroecology. University of Chicago Press.
Bird Conservation
1. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2. Sutherland, W. J., Newton, I., & Green, R. (2004). Bird ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques (Vol. 1). OUP Oxford.
3. Islam, M. Z., & Rahamani, A. R. (2005). Important bird areas in India, priority sites for conservation. Indian bird conservation Network. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai and Bird life International, UK.
4. SoIB. State of India’s Birds: Range, Trends and Conservation Status. 2020. The SoIB Partnership.
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2. Sutherland, W. J., Newton, I., & Green, R. (2004). Bird ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques (Vol. 1). OUP Oxford.
3. Islam, M. Z., & Rahamani, A. R. (2005). Important bird areas in India, priority sites for conservation. Indian bird conservation Network. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai and Bird life International, UK.
4. SoIB. State of India’s Birds: Range, Trends and Conservation Status. 2020. The SoIB Partnership.
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Bioacoustics and Lab Techniques
1. Robin, V. V., Katti, M., Purushotham, C., Sancheti, A., & Sinha, A. (2011). Singing in the sky: song variation in an endemic bird on the sky islands of southern India. Animal Behaviour, 82(3), 513-520.
2. Catchpole, C. K., & Slater, P. J. (2003). Bird song: biological themes and variations. Cambridge university press.
3. Gil, D., & Gahr, M. (2002). The honesty of bird song: multiple constraints for multiple traits. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17(3), 133-141.
Read More
2. Catchpole, C. K., & Slater, P. J. (2003). Bird song: biological themes and variations. Cambridge university press.
3. Gil, D., & Gahr, M. (2002). The honesty of bird song: multiple constraints for multiple traits. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17(3), 133-141.
Read More
Studying Communities and Populations
1. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2. Sutherland, W. J., Newton, I., & Green, R. (2004). Bird ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques (Vol. 1). OUP Oxford.
3. Buckland, S. T., Anderson, D. R., Burnham, K. P., Laake, J. L., Borchers, D. L., & Thomas, L. (2001). Introduction to distance sampling: estimating abundance of biological populations.
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2. Sutherland, W. J., Newton, I., & Green, R. (2004). Bird ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques (Vol. 1). OUP Oxford.
3. Buckland, S. T., Anderson, D. R., Burnham, K. P., Laake, J. L., Borchers, D. L., & Thomas, L. (2001). Introduction to distance sampling: estimating abundance of biological populations.
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Capture and Tagging of Birds
1. Indian Bird Ringing Manual. Bombay Natural History Society
2. Bird Ringing: A Concise Guide. British Trust for Ornithology
3. Bird Ringing Manual. SAFRING. (The South African Bird Ringing Unit)
4. North American Bird Banding Manual. United States Geological Survey
5. Cooch, E. (2008). Program MARK,” A gentle introduction”. http://www. phidot. org/software/mark/docs/book/.
2. Bird Ringing: A Concise Guide. British Trust for Ornithology
3. Bird Ringing Manual. SAFRING. (The South African Bird Ringing Unit)
4. North American Bird Banding Manual. United States Geological Survey
5. Cooch, E. (2008). Program MARK,” A gentle introduction”. http://www. phidot. org/software/mark/docs/book/.
Techniques for Studying Behaviour
1. Altmann, J. (1974). Observational study of behavior: sampling methods. Behaviour, 49(3-4), 227-266.
2. Davies, N. B. (1977). Prey selection and the search strategy of the spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata): a field study on optimal foraging. Animal Behaviour, 25, 1016-1033.
3. Robinson, S. K., & Holmes, R. T. (1982). Foraging behavior of forest birds: the relationships among search tactics, diet, and habitat structure. Ecology, 63(6), 1918-1931.
4. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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2. Davies, N. B. (1977). Prey selection and the search strategy of the spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata): a field study on optimal foraging. Animal Behaviour, 25, 1016-1033.
3. Robinson, S. K., & Holmes, R. T. (1982). Foraging behavior of forest birds: the relationships among search tactics, diet, and habitat structure. Ecology, 63(6), 1918-1931.
4. Lovette, I. J. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (eds) (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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Methods of Science
1. Gotelli, N. J., & Ellison, G. N. (2004). A primer of ecological statistics. Sinauer Associates.
2. Karban, R., Huntzinger, M., & Pearse, I. S. (2014). How to do ecology: a concise handbook. Princeton University Press.
3. Krebs, C. J. (1999). Ecological methodology. Addison Welsey Educational Publishers.
4. Scheiner, S. M., & Gurevitch, J. (Eds.). (2001). Design and analysis of ecological experiments. Oxford University Press.
5. Fox, G. A., Negrete-Yankelevich, S., & Sosa, V. J. (Eds.). (2015). Ecological statistics: contemporary theory and application. Oxford University Press, USA.
2. Karban, R., Huntzinger, M., & Pearse, I. S. (2014). How to do ecology: a concise handbook. Princeton University Press.
3. Krebs, C. J. (1999). Ecological methodology. Addison Welsey Educational Publishers.
4. Scheiner, S. M., & Gurevitch, J. (Eds.). (2001). Design and analysis of ecological experiments. Oxford University Press.
5. Fox, G. A., Negrete-Yankelevich, S., & Sosa, V. J. (Eds.). (2015). Ecological statistics: contemporary theory and application. Oxford University Press, USA.
Posing Research Questions
1. Gotelli, N. J., & Ellison, G. N. (2004). A primer of ecological statistics. Sinauer Associates.
2. Karban, R., Huntzinger, M., & Pearse, I. S. (2014). How to do ecology: a concise handbook. Princeton University Press.
3. Krebs, C. J. (1999). Ecological methodology. Addison Welsey Educational Publishers.
4. Scheiner, S. M., & Gurevitch, J. (Eds.). (2001). Design and analysis of ecological experiments. Oxford University Press.
5. Fox, G. A., Negrete-Yankelevich, S., & Sosa, V. J. (Eds.). (2015). Ecological statistics: contemporary theory and application. Oxford University Press, USA.
2. Karban, R., Huntzinger, M., & Pearse, I. S. (2014). How to do ecology: a concise handbook. Princeton University Press.
3. Krebs, C. J. (1999). Ecological methodology. Addison Welsey Educational Publishers.
4. Scheiner, S. M., & Gurevitch, J. (Eds.). (2001). Design and analysis of ecological experiments. Oxford University Press.
5. Fox, G. A., Negrete-Yankelevich, S., & Sosa, V. J. (Eds.). (2015). Ecological statistics: contemporary theory and application. Oxford University Press, USA.
Research Design
1. Gotelli, N. J., & Ellison, G. N. (2004). A primer of ecological statistics. Sinauer Associates.
2. Karban, R., Huntzinger, M., & Pearse, I. S. (2014). How to do ecology: a concise handbook. Princeton University Press.
3. Krebs, C. J. (1999). Ecological methodology. Addison Welsey Educational Publishers.
4. Scheiner, S. M., & Gurevitch, J. (Eds.). (2001). Design and analysis of ecological experiments. Oxford University Press.
5. Fox, G. A., Negrete-Yankelevich, S., & Sosa, V. J. (Eds.). (2015). Ecological statistics: contemporary theory and application. Oxford University Press, USA.
2. Karban, R., Huntzinger, M., & Pearse, I. S. (2014). How to do ecology: a concise handbook. Princeton University Press.
3. Krebs, C. J. (1999). Ecological methodology. Addison Welsey Educational Publishers.
4. Scheiner, S. M., & Gurevitch, J. (Eds.). (2001). Design and analysis of ecological experiments. Oxford University Press.
5. Fox, G. A., Negrete-Yankelevich, S., & Sosa, V. J. (Eds.). (2015). Ecological statistics: contemporary theory and application. Oxford University Press, USA.