BIRDING BY EAR: Eastern and Central North America

Anyone who's tried deciphering the complex symbols found in most birding field guides will immediately see the inherent advantage of an audio format for providing a "basic vocabulary of bird vocalizations." While Walton and Lawson never underestimate the value of visual identification and the handiness of a "good pair of binoculars," their highly organized birdsong-learning technique, which employs phonetics, comparative ideas and descriptive words along with superior sample recordings from university labs, accomplishes in a short time what would take the average birder many seasons in the field. It also proves particularly helpful when verifying low visibility birds, such as the Eastern Wood-Pewee. In a patient, informed tone, Walton encourages listeners to focus on auditory recognition and learn the diagnostic call notes of 85 species found in eastern and central North America, conveniently grouped by song similarity (e.g., warblers, name-sayers, mimics, woodpeckers, whistlers, etc.). Because great variation in song among the same species often occurs, this guide gives two or more calls of each bird, with reviews at the end of each grouping and an overview of habitats and examples of songs. Heeding the authors' advice to limit study to a few songs per session, and their stress on frequent repetition, is made simple with an accompanying booklet containing CD track information and a brief overview of each bird. Hearing the unusual drumlike song of the ruffed grouse or the intricate melodies of the house wren is certain to be a treat for all birdwatchers, whether they're beginners or aficionados. Based on the Houghton Mifflin paperback. (Apr. 4)