Book excerpt: North and South Carolina together offer an impressive range of natural habitats for birds. From the spruce-fir woodlands of the Appalachians in the west to the rolling Piedmont hills and extensive pinelands, all the way east to the saltwater marshes and bays of the barrier islands, the Carolinas are a perfect place to see many types of birds. From oystercatchers, turnstones, and avocets to warblers, sparrows, finches and everything in between, the Carolina are a birder's paradise. This new book in the American Birding Association Field Guide series builds on the excellence of previous titles. It includes 550 beautiful color photographs featuring 300 bird species in natural habitats, a clear and concise introduction, identification, habitat, and birdsong text. Additionally, it features tips on when and where to see birds and a detailed state map, index, and quick index. It is a perfect portable book for beginning to intermediate birders.