鉴被称作“美国国宝”
illustrate：说明；描绘；画插图 in their natural habitats：自然居住地
conservationist：自然资源保护者，生态环境保护者 feather：羽毛，翎毛 manufacture：制造 sponsored by ：赞助;发起
the National Audubon Society：全国奥杜邦（鸟类保护）协会 Bermuda：百慕大群岛（北大西洋西部群岛） Pacific islands：太平洋岛屿 volunteer：志愿者 bird count：鸟类的清点 experienced：有经验的
bird watcher：野鸟观察者，鸟类观察家 diameter：直径 observe：观察
actually ：实际上，实质上，事实上，几乎 longest-running：播放时间最长的 census：人口普查，统计;人口财产调查 ornithology：鸟类学;鸟学 scheduled：排定，进度表 logistics： 组织工作
ideal： 理想；目标
virtually：实际上，实质上，事实上，几乎 identify ：识别，认出 Panama：巴拿马 esthetic value：审美价值 indicator：指示器
habitat alteration：栖息地变更 signal：信号，暗号;预兆，征象 degrade： 降低，贬低;使降级 degradation：退化;堕落;降级 adversely：反对;不利地;有害地 annual：每年
Christmas bird counts：对诞（岛）数鸟 decline：下降
One in eight of the world's bird species is deemed globally threatened and the fortunes of 198 critically endangered species are now so perilous that they are at risk of imminent extinction. Many people feel that every time we lose a species, the world becomes a poorer place. The more successful we are at maintaining or improving the living conditions of the Earth's
many residents, the better our chances will be of sustaining the quality of all species' lives on Earth.
A Listen to a news report. While listening for the first time, add more key words in the notes column according to the following cues. While listening for the second time, supply the missing information.
Event: Christmas bird counts Time: from Christmas to Jan. 3rd
Sponsored by: the National Audubon Society Participants:
Numbers: more than 40,000 volunteers
Background: from all 50 states of the U.S., every Canadian
province, parts of Central and South America', Bermuda, the West Indies and Pacific islands
Number of bird counts this year: more than 1 600 separate bird
counts
The logistics of bird counts: Each individual count is in a 15 mile
diameter circle around the exact center point.
Origin of the National Audubon Society: It was named after an
American artist John James Audubon, who illustrated birds in their natural habitats. The Society was founded in the late 1800s by conservationists concerned with the decline of birds. B Now try this: listen to a more authentic version of the report. Complete the summary of this year's Christmas bird counts. Christmas bird counts will start from Christmas to January 3rd., sponsored by the National Audubon Society. This year more than 40 000 volunteers from the U.S., Canada, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies and Pacific islands will be outside counting birds. The counts are not only for experienced bird watchers but anyone that is interested or concerned as well. This year more than 1 600 separate bird counts have been scheduled. Some would have as few as 10 people taking part, others with hundreds. Every individual count is in a 15 mile diameter circle around the exact center point. Bird counters can get a good idea of the total bird populations within the count circle based on the number of birds they actually see.
The traditional Christmas bird count is the longest-running bird census in ornithology. Audioscript:
John James Audubon was an American artist in the early 1800s, who illustrated birds in their natural habitats. The Society named after him was founded in the late 1800s by conservationists concerned with the decline of birds, which were being killed so their feathers could be used in the manufacture of women's hats. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, more than 40 000 volunteers will be outside counting birds from today until January 3rd. Volunteers from all 50 states of the United States, every Canadian province, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies and Pacific islands have begun to count and record every individual bird and bird species observed during the two and one half week period of the count.
Jeffrey LeBaron is the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count editor. He says the count is the longest-running bird census in ornithology.
This year, according to Mr. LeBaron , more than 1 600 separate bird counts have been scheduled. Some would have as few as 10