Learning XSLT

Colophon

Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects.

The animal on the cover of Learning XSLT is a Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus ). Among the largest flying birds in the world, the Marabou stork’s flight capability is facilitated by hollow toe bones, which are an important adaptation for flight, considering its large size. The adult male’s wingspan is approximately 9.5 feet (2.9 meters). He can stand up to 5 feet tall (1.5 meters) and weigh 20 pounds (9 kilograms). The size and wingspan of females are generally smaller.

Native to the marshes and savannahs of Africa, Marabou storks can also be found near landfills, abattoirs, and fishing villages. Marabous have adapted well to human growth and activity, which has benefited the thriving species. Because they ingest bacterial waste, Marabou storks help humans by reducing the spread of disease, and thus, they are important predators. Their powerful beaks break through the rough hides of rotting mammal carcasses, which speeds up the decomposition process and enables weaker scavengers to feast on the dead fleash. Marabous are attracted to grass fires, where they hunt the small animals fleeing from the blaze. They will eat almost any kind of animal, dead or alive, from caterpillars to flamingos to elephants. These hefty protein ...