North American Birds [antikvár]

introduction^Jature is immensely complex, involving millions of dif-ferent species of animals and plants that are connected to one another through complicated interrelationships and that live by certain laws even scientists do not fully understand. Yet because we humans are also part of that intricate web of nature, the study of natural history is one that appeals to all of us, though we may have little interest in hiking miles into wilderness areas to witness the wonders of nature at first hand. Fortunately, it is not necessary to spend a great deal of time and effort to learn about the natural world; in fact, one need go no further than the backyard or the local city park to observe wildlife. Although few of us will ever hold a wild bird in our hands or be capable ofTfie Bolfimiw oriolt- (left) and the western meadowlark (above) are closely related species in jiie passerine order of birtls, (/le largest order in the world and. many sciemisis believe, the most recently evolved. (Bill Dyer, left; Anthony Mercieca, above)recognizing more than a few dozen species, it is possible for even the most amateur of naturalists to comprehend the basic principles of our environment by watching birds in action.Bird-watching is certainly one of the most popular of our national pastimes, partly because it is fun to track down or "hunt" for different species in their natural habitat and partly because birds are the most accessible form of wildlifethey are colorful, noisy, and easy to see. Since they are sensitive to the world around them, birds can tell us much about the quality of the environment we live in. It was Rachel Carson's book The Silent Sfmng, sadly predicting the disappearance of birdsong, that made Americans aware of the dangers of pesticidesnot only to the insects they were designed to kill but also to birds, other animals, and humans as well. Where birds are numerous and varied, one can be sure that the quality of water, air, and earth are high