Coral Reef ¦ Flightless Birds

It's surprising how many well-known birds can't fly - penguin, ostrich, emu and kiwi feature strongly amongst lesser-known earthbound species, demonstrating that, although flightless, they are all expert swimmers, runners or kickers thanks to specialised feet.

Coral Reef comes out on cue to show us what the Gulf War has so grievously damaged. Good simple explanations of the nature of corals and their function at the base of unique marine eco-systems are rare, and this introduction fills the gap most attractively.

The success of this long-lived series has depended on excellent photographs of popular subjects supported by spare but usefully planned texts. This formula provides quick appeal across a wide age-range, and as the subjects become less commonplace the value of individual volumes increases, so these two are particularly welcome.