Glancing out a window at the back of the library last week, I was delighted to see a gorgeous adult bald eagle go soaring past along the river's edge. Its white head, brown body, and yellow beak were unmistakable. On hearing of the sighting, a fellow librarian reminded me that we also had a large, predatory-looking bird perched on the lamppost in front of the library this past summer. Opinions varied as to what kind of bird it was. Some thought it was a red-tailed hawk; others weren't so sure. Of course, we could have run back to the nonfiction 500s to check one of the books on birds, such as:
- Pete Dunne's essential field guide companion, by Pete Dunne.
- Raptors of North America: Natural History and Conservation, by Noel and Helen Snyder. A new addition to our collection.
- Birds of North America, by Tom Wood, Sheri Williamson, and Jeffrey Glassberg.
- Birds of the world, by Colin Harrison and Alan Greensmith; Mark Robbins, editorial consultant.
- Birds of New England, by Fred J. Alsop III.
- National Audubon Society first field guide : Birds. The National Audubon Society is synonymous with birding. This title is a good starter for children.