This good basic source book covers six major categories: history, equipment, publications (books and periodicals), clubs and organizations, best birding sites and tours and expeditions. Its appendices list zoos and natural history museums, rare bird alert phone numbers, birds’ favorite plants, a birdlist based on the AOU check-list and specifications for building bird houses. Its casual, conversational style is entertaining, and it is amply illustrated with black-and-white photographs and etchings.