SCOTT SHALAWAY Holidays spark gift ideas

Gray skies, muddy boots and talk of the first snowfall remind me that it's time for my annual offering of gift ideas for outdoor lovers.
Topping the list is "The Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife" by Christopher Leahy (2004, Princeton University Press, $39.50). Encyclopedic in breadth and form, this 1,039-page tome is an essential reference for every serious birder. From topical "abbreviations" to "zygodactyl" feet, Leahy defines nearly every term and identifies almost every person an avid birder might encounter.
A book to read
"Blue Twilight" (2004, Avon Books, $6.99) is Jessica Speart's eighth Rachel Porter wildlife thriller. This time Rachel, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent, finds herself searching for a biologist who disappeared while searching for a rare blue butterfly. Rachel navigates a web of lies and bodies while learning how a fanatical obsession can turn deadly. I find myself looking forward to her newest book each year and hope that someone produces some TV movies based on this entertaining series.
Though now extinct, ivory-billed woodpeckers were likely never common in the swamps of the Southeastern United States. "The Race to Save the Lord God Bird" by Phillip Hoose (2004, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $25) is the story of this magnificent bird. Illustrated with photos from the 1930s, this is a fascinating story of desperate hope for a species that even today some believe might exist.
"The Carolina Parakeet: Glimpses of a Vanished Bird" by Noel Snyder (2004, Princeton University Press, $29.95) is another tale of an extinct species -- one that was once quite common. More scholarly text than casual read, "The Carolina Parakeet" is a terrific natural history that offers some new ideas on this speciese.
Another taxonomic group with a growing legion of fans is the Odonata -- the dragonflies and damselflies. Cynthia Berger's "Dragonflies" (2004, Stackpole Books, $19.95) is a clearly written beginning guide to these fascinating insects. Though not an identification book, "Dragonflies" includes beautiful color plates on more than 30 common species, and Berger's text is an admirable introduction for readers of any age.
I'm pleased to report that "Watching Warblers" is now available on DVD ($39.95), and it's must viewing for anyone interested in learning North America's warblers. This is quite simply the best birding video I've ever seen. Even veteran birders will marvel at the images and sounds recorded by this talented team of film makers (800-343-5540; www.birdfilms.com).
My latest book, "Butterflies in the Backyard" (2004, Stackpole Books, $14.95), will appeal to anyone interested in adding living color to the back yard. Putting my entomology degree to work, I describe how to create a butterfly garden, the basics of butterfly conservation, and the natural history of the most common species of butterflies and moths.
Feeder needs
Finally, if a new bird feeder is on your list, consider a stainless steel wire mesh feeder. Made by a variety of manufacturers, these feeders come in several mesh sizes suitable for nyjer, sunflower seeds and nuts.
I make this recommendation because a senior design engineer at a major manufacturer recently warned me that, because of rising oil prices, polycarbonate plastic prices are upthis year. That means you can expect significant price increases for high quality tube and bowl feeders made from polycarbonate, which is an unbreakable high-tech plastic.
Stainless steel mesh feeders enjoy a long life, and clinging birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and finches readily use them. Another plus for mesh tubes, particularly those without perches, is that they can't be used by pigeons or doves.
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