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Chapter four looks as the physiology of birds, it how they live and reproduce in different environments. Getting water and staying at the proper temperature are a challenge for birds, both large and small. Their respiratory system is more efficient compared to mammals. Birds also separately evolved a four chambered heart. Birds also evolved ways to maintain their temperature under different conditions. Their digestive system is simpler than mammals, but birds have the ability to change the size of their organs in demand, for example during migrations. This also extends to their reproductive organs, which can become active under the proper environmental and other conditions

Chapter three looks at the muscles, skeleton and nervous system of birds and shows how they are similar or different from that of mammals and other groups of animals. Bird skeletons are hollow, but still strong, with a very flexible neck and interesting skull. The muscles are organized differently for flight. Their feet, too, differ based on their lifestyle. Birds' brains are organized differently from humans too, and can change depending on the season (for breeding or migrating, for example). Their sensory organs include a sensitive bill and eyes that perceive the world differently from us.

The title probably gives the game away, but this is a story about the horrors of a land well known to those who enjoy the works of H.P. Lovecraft. But the actual story itself is more of a prelude to the actual expedition.

It starts when a researcher decides to take a DNA test and discovers that a significant part of her own DNA is 'unknown'. Some digging reveals that another person may also have the same unknown DNA but attempts to personally meet the person fail, but in a rather inhuman way.

Can be read on-line at [ www.tor.com/2020/11/18/on-safari-in-rlyeh-and-carcosa-with-gun-and-camera-elizabeth-bear/ ]

Chapter two looks at the skin, scale and, especially, the feathers of birds. The various kinds of feathers are described along with their various functions like providing thrust, lift or insulation. Feather structures are shown and the various ways feather colours are produced (via pigments or from their structure). Also described are the different ways birds moult and maintain their feathers.

Dreaming of Plenitude: in a future without scarcity, a young helper attempts to get along with an elderly patient to get a reputational boost. But it is only after the patient goes missing with her 3D VR goggles and sees the world in a new light do they discover their common interest in helping the people community to work together.

Chapter one gives an overall view of birds, from their evolution from dinosaurs to their variety, biology, anatomy and lifestyle.

Set in Iceland, the story leads a male witch on a trail to find his brother to inform him that he has been pardoned for a crime which got him exiled. But he finds the trail leads to a farm which tells him he has to deal with a volcano and obtain an elixir from it before he can talk to his brother.

An interesting story that weaves together magic, compassion for a lame, potentially sacrificial horse and the telling of riddles.

Isle of Happiness: a Russian tycoon who got rich on gaming and other activities finds happiness hard to achieve. So he jumps at the chance of an isle in the Middle East which claims to use AI to offer happiness. But appearance can be deceiving and happiness can be hard to find.

The Job Savior: in a future where most work has been taken over by AI, a company is tasked with find new avenues of employment for those whose jobs have now gone. But what happens when the company's own business is threaten by AI?

Quantum Genocide: a techno-thriller involving the stealing of Bitcoins that is the trigger for a series of global terrorist events started by one person who wants to get his revenge of humanity. It would take the efforts of an intelligence officer and a hacker to try to stop him.

Can be read on-line at [ www.tor.com/2021/06/23/the-red-mother-elizabeth-bear/ ]

A story of a boy who, while generally obedient, disobeys his mother's orders in small ways, like taking shortcuts to get back home. On one of these shortcuts, he encounters colourful African Masquerades who say they are his and follow him home.

Then the trouble starts, for his mother begins to make small requests, taking pieces from his Masquerades to put into her own designs to be sold. And one day, the boy decides to disobey his mother in a big way.

The Holy Driver: in Sri Lanka, a boy who is good at VR racing is given the chance to drive a VR car that feels almost real. Later, he will discover the purpose of the reality simulation and, in a crisis, having to take life or death decisions.