Bird Watch

From its arresting cover of a vee of geese stretching across the ``earless / face of the moon'' to the songbirds that sit ``along the wires / like scattered notes / on lines of music'' on the last page, this soaring collection of poems about birds will delight young ornithologists. Though some of the poems deal with subjects beyond the experience of most children, all are carefully wrought and thoughtful. Lewin's breathtaking watercolors marvelously complement Yolen's graceful language and gentle humor, and a glossary at the end supplies interesting facts about each species of bird included in the volume. Like Yolen's winter finches at their feeder, these elegant poems and unforgettable pictures will last ``long, long / past the turning of the year.'' All ages. (Oct.)