Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Back-yard birding, front-seat adventure -- Stefancik’s corollary -- America’s fastest-growing outdoor activity -- Landscaping for birds -- Bird-feeding problems -- Attracting birds with water -- Nest boxes -- The other side of the fence -- 2. The tools of the trade : binoculars and a field guide -- Of chimney swifts and larceny -- Binoculars : the defining tool of birding -- Field guides : the rosetta stone to birds -- Clothing -- Other things you’ll need -- 3. The fundamentals of birding -- Like grosbeaks for purple finch -- Where, when, and how to go birding -- Basic bird identification -- Learning to see critically -- Keeping records -- 4. Resources : dipping into the pool of knowledge -- The man of the mountain -- Clubs and chums : the social link -- Hooking into the publication and communication network -- Birding tours -- Events, functions, festivals, and other birders -- 5. Expanding horizons : finding and facing new challenges -- That story about the harrier -- Sight : spotting scopes and tripods -- Sound : birding by ear -- Travel to new birding locations -- Mastering difficult identifications -- 6. Applied birding : for fun, purpose, even profit -- October 4, 1977, Cape May Point, New Jersey -- Bird censusing -- The game birders play -- 7. Tips to better birding -- At birding’s horizon line : standing with Will -- Equipment tips -- Technique tips -- 8. Ethics and responsibilities -- Looking for Baird’s sparrow, walking on eggs -- Keeping birding safe for birds -- The etiquette of birding -- Courtesy to nonbirders -- Conservation