A Passion for Birds: Dedicated to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on Its Centenary

Birders and twitchers on both sides of the Atlantic will enjoy this handsome volume celebrating the centennary of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Covered are British birds, but Americans will recognize counterparts in our native species. Soper ( The Bird Table ) discusses the pleasures of bird-watching, and notes that bird places are part of the attraction. His text is enhanced by anecdotal pieces from other writers, professional and amateur, on specific birds or events. Topics include courtship and flight, nesting boxes, gardening to attract birds, hand-feeding and rescuing birds, owls and seabirds. This is a fine dissertation. Photos. (Nov.)