NONFICTION - Nov. 7, 1993

SONGS TO BIRDS by Jake Page (Godine: $XX; 138 pp.) Jake Page loves birds. “A cardinal appears, a little packet of tropiclike joy . . . and suddenly there is a small, significant change in local universe. . . . For just a moment in the damp, grey emulsion of winter, there is a miniburst of elation and hope hinges on this bird.” In his collection of essays, “Songs to Birds,” that love is shown again and again in graceful, slightly anachronistic language, which sort of hovers around the page like, well, a bird. Even when he’s less than complimentary, as in “A Most Unfortunate Addition?” Page’s grumpy testimonial against starlings, it’s still possible to sense a reluctant admiration for the “prissy bullies.” “Songs to Birds” leaves behind an image of Page having dinner with a few friends. Candles flicker, wine is poured. “So, what do you think of wrens,” someone asks. Jake begins to speak, and the guests all lean forward, happy to listen. Happy to be there with his birds.