The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity written by Eugene Linden is a book on observation. Observantion of animal behavior, bringing together intrique with intelligence and ingenuity.
This book is the second book of two about this topic as the author has written "The Parrot's Lament. "The Octopus and the Orangutan looks for intelligence in animals, as we know animals exhibit intelligence in varing degrees, so the author describes stealth, deception, and friendship. But, that is not all, they exhibit intelligence in bargining and negotiations not only with their handlers, but among themselves.
Yes, animal intelligence is not on par with man's, but if you realize that an animal has intelligence you can begin to find out at what level the animal "understands." Then when you understand the animal you begin to set up a rudimentary communication. This book has examples of observed astonishing new animal behavior previously thought to be exclusively human.
The is a story about a remarkable Octopus and a colony of Orangutans and the observed behaviors that are quite remarkable, and of course, there are other stories throughout the book. If you like a book that really makes the most of observation, and combine it with animals. You'll have a book that warms you heart. A story about Mozart and his bird... a Starling that loved his melodies.
Now, that story I can relate to, as I have two Cockatiel's and when I play a Mozart CD the birds sing the music right along with the CD. Their favor Mozart is "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" as they sing it right after they are fed. I found this book to be a wonderful study of animal behavior through human observation, which gives the reader a good look into what is intelligence in animals.
An excellent read with a well balanced narritive.