A scientist's memoir from the 1980s at Millaa Millaa in the tropics of Queensland, detailing the rigors of field research and the joys of discovery. But this is more than a discussion of scientific procedure and natural history, it is also a portrait of his colleagues, the story of conflicts with locals over conservation efforts, and most of all, an outsider's account of life in northeastern Australia, in the small towns and forests just outside of Cairns. The end of the book contains chapters on his travels in Papua New Guinea. With black-and-white photos and series of color plates.  (AUS90, $25.00)

Conservation