Costco Connection - November 2006

Scarlet tanager

Red-bellied woodpecker

their homes. And then I added some rare ones,” he explains. The book is meant to be a guide for people who are truly interested in bird-watching on any level.

In a sense, it is a way to learn more about your neighbors. “The birds you see every day are often the same ones,” says Beletsky. “They’re territorial. Like the robin you see every day is your resident robin. Not always, but often. We think that because they fly, they fly far. That’s not always the case.”

Over the years, the media have portrayed bird-watchers in a comical stereotype, but that is not necessarily accurate. According to Beletsky, “Millions to

The Costco Connection Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song is available at Costco and on costco.com.

tens of millions of peo-
ple either bird-watch
or hike and look at
nature. It’s easy to
do and a lot of fun. Once [the
birds] have gotten to know you, you can
actually forge a relationship with them. I’ve been
outside, getting set up to barbecue, and the resident
birds will gather, looking at me as if to say, ‘Come on,
where’s the food?’”

For those interested in starting a new hobby, Beletsky advises, “There are two categories of bird sounds: songs and calls. Songs are the more melodic. Go early in the morning. Birds do more singing early.”

The book has already spawned a sequel. Beletsky is currently working on a similar concept, focused on the songs of exotic birds from Africa, Australia and Asia. Naturally, it’s called Exotic Birds and Their Songs. And the hits just keep on coming. C

Red-breasted nuthatch

ILLUSTRATIONS:
SPOT TED OWL: JOHN SILL
WES TERN TANAGER: JOHN SILL
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: DIANE PIERCE
SCARLET TANAGER: DAVID NURNE Y
RED-BREAS TED NU THATCH: DAVID NURNEY

With beautiful photography and inspiring designs, the Great series from Meredith delivers style in an accessible format. Choose from Great Country French Style, Great Kids’ Rooms, Great Traditional Style and more!

The dedicated researchers at the Uncle John’s Institute have been busy acquiring random facts and interesting information to fill your downtime. This 18th book in the popular series covers topics such as the origin of punk rock, diets of the rich and famous, and puzzles and brainteasers too!

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Laugh your way through The Worst-Case Scenario Survival series; but as outrageous as the hands-on, step-by-step survival instructions may seem, someone out there is using these tips to overcome the worst of life, parenting, history, travel and golf.

MEREDITH HARDCOVER

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A disturbing rape trial causes George Mason to question the limitations of the law, his fitness to judge and, ultimately, the ability to understand life, in Scott Turow’s Limitations.