Birding is the fastest growing wildlife-related activity in the U.S., and even conservative estimates put the current number of U.S. birders at 50 million. According to the <i>New York Times,</i> some authorities predict that by 2050 there will be more than 100 million&#151;and the <i>National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America</i> will be the essential reference for field identification and the cornerstone of any birder's library. This is the ultimate, indispensable bird field guide&#151;comprehensive, authoritative, portable, sturdy, and easier than ever to use. <br><br>Among the the new edition's key elements and practical improvements: Every North American species&#151;more than 960, including a new section on accidental birds&#151;classified according to the latest official American Ornithologists' Union checklist 4,000 full-color illustrations by the foremost bird artists at work todayand newly updated range maps that draw on the latest data New durable cover for added protection against adverse weather, plus informative quick-reference flaps that double as placemarkers New reader-friendly features like thumbtabs that make locating key sections faster and easier, and a quick-find index to direct users straight to the information they need.