Birds go shopping

Swifts are in disastrous decline in Britain—perhaps simply because
roofs are in better nick these days, denying the birds these desirable nesting
sites. So says Chris Mead in his outstanding guide to The State of the
Nation’s Birds. But there’s hope ahead. With the right design, the icon of
a British summer could easily switch from parties of swifts screaming around the
ancient church tower to gatherings round the supermarkets—just like their
human neighbours. Published by Whittey Books, £12.99, ISBN 1873580452.