The great auk, the Mauritius giant tortoise, and the elephant bird--strange and beautiful creatures that lived on earth until not so long ago--are faithfully represented in this guide based on research, museum records, and the sketches and notes of naturalists and explorers of previous centuries. The 40 birds and animals featured--including the famous dodo--are depicted in their natural habitats, and the accompanying text describes their special adaptations, food and predators, daily habits, and the reasons, sometimes well-documented and sometimes speculative, for their demise. The Tasmanian tiger and the Carolina parakeet, both of which suffered extinction in the early 20th century, are discussed in terms of the cruelty, thoughtlessness, and sheer commercial greed that threatened them.