A wonderful new bird book from National Geographic

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THE WASHINGTON TIMES

When the National Geographic says its 640-page "Complete Birds of North America" (National Geographic Books, edited by Jonathan Alderfer, $35) is the definitive book for birders, believe it.

This companion volume to the best-selling "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America" is indeed the ultimate reference book, covering all 962 species of birds recorded in North America. It shows in pictures and words not only the most common breeding birds we see but also rare migrant visitors, even the seldom seen ivory-billed woodpecker that was believed to be extinct yet has been rediscovered in the deepest forests of Arkansas.

Featuring some 4,000 illustrations by the finest artists, 150 full-color photographs by masters of avian photography and more than 750 range and migration maps, this wonderful book delivers all the goods birders hope for -- and then some.

Alderfer is chief consultant for the Society's birding program. He is a widely published author and field guide illustrator, well known for his expertise as a field ornithologist and for his knowledge of North American birds.

Buying this book is the best $35 you've ever spent.

-- Gene Mueller