Welcome to subirdia Sharing our neighborhoods with wrens, robins, woodpeckers, and other wildlife

Marzluff (Univ. of Washington) has hit a winner with this new release. This easily read but engrossing account offers something for everyone. The setting is familiar: suburban areas that fringe cities across the globe. Yet the story quickly begins to veer into unexpected, unexplored territory, and soon readers find themselves looking at their future on the planet. This future is tied, more than people may wish to acknowledge, to the bird species valiantly adapting to the huge changes that humans have made to the landscape. Writing with the sure hand of an inveterate observer-a crack scientist with the soul of a nice guy next door-Marzluff takes readers into his life in Seattle, working with teams of his graduate students and some admirable neighbors. Readers visit ten cities around the world and marvel at the simplicity of the author's ten rules for saving the situation. And readers are left with an optimistic list of deeply rewarding projects accessible to anyone. This is therapy for people who worry. Beautifully illustrated in black-and-white by Jack Delap, with accuracy and touches of humor. For scientists, bird lovers, philosophers-and everyone else. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. --Keir B. Sterling, Pace University

Starred Review. This excellent book documents engagingly how wildlife has adapted to urban and suburban areas, often in surprising ways. Marzluff's (wildlife biology, Univ. of Washington, Seattle; Dog Days, Raven Nights) work is well referenced with an extensive bibliography (he is senior author of 16 of its items) and fully annotated, eminently readable chapter notes. The cute title should not obscure the scholarship and research that is so well presented here. Discussion topics include wildlife in golf courses, how bird song changes when challenged by traffic noise, yard plantings, gardens, city parks, the effects of artificial light, bird feeders, the benefits of dead trees, and dozens of other issues. Birds dominate the text. Marzluff has a special interest in the crow family: jays, ravens, and crows per se. Much of the academic yet readable narrative (this is not a reference book) draws upon phenomena in the Pacific Northwest but the focus is worldwide and increasingly important as urban areas continue to expand. VERDICT Most highly recommended for all interested in wildlife, city planning, and urban ecology.-Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.