I just checked this book out from the Pierce County Library. Excellent in
just about every way.
It is enjoyable reading, and his explanations are easy to follow. The thing
that I find different about
this book is that Sibley focuses on the grand scheme of things--how it all
fits together--field marks,
behavior, lighting, etc. and (something that I haven't given a lot of
thought to up until now) how the
birder's personal bias affects his or her identification of birds. The
mental aspect of it.

As a non-expert birder, I need to find ways to organize and categorize what
I am looking at (and hearing)
in order to become better at it. This book points out a lot of ways to
approach doing just that.

Linda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marv Breece" <mbreece at foxinternet.net>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 7:45 AM
Subject: Sibley's Birding Basics


> I have read half of this book and am too excited about it to wait until
> completion. I'd like to share my thoughts and comments with you now.
>
> Truly this book is for the beginning as well as the experienced birder. I
> am basically a self taught birder. The book reaffirms things I have
learned
> from experience and has filled in many gaps in my personal knowledge of
> birds.The first time through, I am learning a lot. Certainly the seond
and
> third time through will be equally rewarding.
>
> If you want to learn more about birds, I know of no other way to learn as
> much with such minimal effort. This book is only about 150 pages in
length.
> It is loaded with good information, yet this information is presented
> clearly and concisely with a minimum of personal bias.
>
> I can't wait to return to the field to apply what I have learned from my
> reading this morning.
>
> I highly recommend Sibley's Birding Basics to anyone who wants to learn
more
> about birds.
>
> Marv Breece
> Seattle, WA
>
>