This book is the classic intro. to the intimate, engaging secrets of 11 common backyard birds -- ones most often seen in gardens, yards, & parks. Simonds conducts a kind of backyard safari where you'll witness the singular behavior of already-familiar birds. You'll learn how to distinguish different types of swallows by their flight patterns & how to recognize individual blue jays by their distinctive facial markings. And you'll learn why the power mower & the lawn sprinkler have become the robin's best friends. Brimming with practical wisdom, charming personal stories, & genuine scientific insight, this updated & expanded 3rd ed. is essential reading for bird lovers, nature lovers, & especially families who want to know their feathered neighbors better. Illus.