The number of bird species in the Beijing area has increased from 340 in the 1970s to the present 370, reported Beijing Daily on Monday. A good environment attracts new species here.

In the early 1990s, a brown-eared pheasant was first spotted onLingshan Mountain, west of Beijing. The rare big swans have also become common birds in Beijing.

To provide a better home for birds, the 21st "Bird-loving Week"was launched Sunday by the Beijing Forestry Bureau at Badachu Park,west of Beijing. Over 500 school children hung hand-made bird nests in the park.

Badachu Park is passed by most migratory birds when traveling northwards every year. Every late March and early April, nearly 150,000 birds of tens of species stay in the park.

(People's Daily April 1, 2003)