SPOTTING THE BIRDS

Programmers are going further afield to find uses for the 48K Spectrum. Hilton Computer Services has just launched an 'expert' system, called Garden Birds. It will allow budding ornithologists to identify birds they have spotted with a pair of binoculars in a field.

The program starts by giving the country code with suitable and very interesting bird graphics. Then there is a long wait while the rest of the program loads.

When loading is complete, the computer will show the names of the birds in its data bank. The user must then enter the markings and the behaviour of the bird which has been seen. Users must be willing to enter plenty of data, including size, colouring and call sign of the bird. The ornithologist computer will then process the data and a reading will be given.

We found the general reliability of the system to be accurate with the commoner birds. For instance, the computer can spot a blue tit.

When the analysis has been made you can compare the subject bird to other birds on the menu. You will score depending on how closely your subject bird compares to the other birds.

Garden Birds is an ideal piece of software for the bird-spotter. It is available from Hilton Computer Services, 14 Avalon Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 9AX. The program costs £4.95.