Birds Worth Watching

Bird artist, teacher, ornithologist Sutton found 60 species of birds worthy of his attention after 70 years of observation in the field. This volume, completed shortly before his death, is his legacy to the host of bird-watchers. Most of the selections are familiar backyard and countryside species with wide distribution; some (canyon wren, road-runner, white-necked raven) are restricted to the Plains and Southwest. In each account, Sutton remarks that there are questions about avian behavior and physiology still to be answered. He records observations made on the campus where he taught (in Norman, Okla.), on field trips and from his early professional career. A color photograph of each species accompanies the text. A swan song, in every sense of the phrase. (September)