Birds: A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press ANNOTATION
An illustrated guide to the identification of 129 common birds in the United States and southern Canada, describing their physical characteristics and habitats. Includes a table listing migration dates and nesting and feeding habits.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
After describing the parts of a bird, the book has a table of contents which is also a quick reference list for bird classification. Maps give the location of the area in which the bird is found.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature
This reissue of the classic Golden Guide first published in 1949, updated with new material, is still one of the best guides to identification of 129 bird species for middle elementary school children. This update includes several birds dropped from (black-crowned night heron) or added to (cattle egret) the roster, birds now named more specifically (Eastern rather than common bluebird), and shinier paper. However, most of the illustrations are repeats from earlier editions but still seem clearly rendered. Endmatter includes maps of the four principal flyways, a double-page chart of birds, their migration patterns, sixes, nest materials and locations, and typical foods, making this a useful source for reports as well as a way to sort for found nests or eggs. This introduction fits neatly in a backpack and will whet children's appetites for the larger, more complete works that are used by older birders. 2001 (orig. 1949), St. Martin's Press, $6.95. Ages 7 up. Reviewer:Susan Hepler
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