Nature lovers in northern California have something to celebrate - the arrival of the new field guide, Birds of Northern California by David Fix and Andy Bezener. This colorful guide describes and illustrates 328 birds found in Northern California with detailed, full-color illustrations, insightful text and range maps.

Birds of Northern California is full of visual identification aids. The key to the book's color-coded header bars and thumb tabs is found on the back cover. For example, the woodpecker section starts on page 227, and its pages are topped with brilliant red. The first 12 pages of the book are devoted to a visual reference guide. Instead of flipping through 384 pages for an illustration that looks like the bird you've spotted, scan the thumb-nail sized illustrations in this section, complete with name, size and a page reference for further information.

Each species is given a full-page treatment. The large color illustration is the dominant feature, with both sexes present if the species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The description of the bird includes identification features, size, status, habitat, nesting, feeding, voice and similar. A lively narrative paragraph includes lesser-known facts about the bird, places to see it, and interesting behavioral and historical information. For example:

• Commonly seen any time of year, the Rock Dove was first domesticated from Eurasian birds around 4500 B.C. as a source of meat.

• 'Willet' is an onomatopoeic description of this bird's common call. The genus name Catoptrophorus is a Latinized form of 'mirror-bearing,' a reference to the flashy white patches on its otherwise dark wings.

• To survive in northeastern California's Great Basin, the Black-throated Sparrow has evolved a super-efficient physiology that allows it to extract and recycle moisture obtained from its food.

The book is true to its title and contains only birds found in northern California, and won't muddle identification for novice birders with similar species found only on the east coast or the Gulf of Mexico.

Birds of Northern California is available at your local bookseller or order directly from Lone Pine Publishing at 1-800-518-3541 (shipping and handling charges apply).

$19.95 - 5.5" x 8.5" - 384 pages - rounded corners - 328 species - ISBN 1-55105-227-X