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ASK OTUS L A S T- M I N U T E C H R I S T M A S GIFT SUGGESTIONS OFFERED; DISAPPEARANCE OF BIRDS FROM FEEDERS EXPLAINED Dear Otus, If your family members like to read, get them good books. My favorite is John James Audubon���s Birds of America (four volumes, 1827 to 1838). Unfortunately, there are only 120 original editions that are known to exist. This means that one does not come on the market very often. The last such appearance was in January 2012, when Christie���s (New York) sold at auction the edition owned by the heirs of the fourth Duke of Portland (died 1854). The hammer price was $7.9 million. I know it���s late, but I still need a few things to put under the Christmas tree. The family likes Already have a copy? Then I would recomnature stuff. Any ideas? mend wildlife conservationist Gerald Durrell���s Bob in Bradenton humorously charming account of his boyhood years on the Greek isle of Corfu. Titled My Dear Bob, Family and Other Animals, the book is availMy theory of Christmas presents is that ���it is able in paperback for about $5 from Amazon. better to receive than to give,��� so I may not be The narrative blends anecdotes of his eccenas helpful to you as others would. But since tric family (including his brother, Lawrence, who wrote The Alexandria Quartet) with deyou asked, here goes. An American Crocodile is available for ���adoption��� at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. File photo