Author visit - Scott Weidensaul - "Of A Feather" October 9, 2007

The Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library are sponsoring a talk by naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul as part of their annual meeting on Tuesday, October 9, at 7 p.m. in the Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland Street. While admission is free, the general public will not be admitted until 6:50 p.m. as space is available. A book signing and reception will follow the talk. For more information on the presentation contact the library's Program Services Division at (757) 259-4070 or visit www.wrl.org/programs
Weidensaul's talk will be drawn from his new book "Of a Feather" (Harcourt, 368 pages), a whirlwind history that shows how ornithology and birding grew from eccentric hobbies into something so completely mainstream they're now (almost) cool.
From the moment Europeans arrived in North America, they were awestruck by a continent awash with birds - great flocks of wild pigeons and woodlands alive with brilliantly colored songbirds. Weidensaul traces the unpredictable history of bird study in America, from frontier ornithologists (one of whom barely escaped pursuing Apaches with a precious hawk egg hidden in his mouth) to society matrons who organized the first effective conservation movement; from luminaries like Alexander Wilson (a convicted blackmailer) and Audubon (an accomplished liar) to modern geniuses like Roger Tory Peterson.
Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library is an organization dedicated to making the libraries a better place for both staff and patrons. Run by a volunteer Executive Committee, the Friends promote interest in the libraries, sponsor cultural programs for the community and provide funds for library services and grants.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of programs.