Language Point 1
Standing at the edge of an enormous marsh, a visitor is overwhelmed by the vast area of tall water plants and the abundant bird life, which reminds one of the coasts of the southeastern United States. (Para.1)
Meaning: A visitor standing beside the enormous march is deeply impressed by its landscape and bird life. This marsh makes one think of scenes along the coast in the southeastern United States.
Language Point 2
Yet this is a place where you will never see a hurricane, or foam stirred by crashing waves, or a dolphin or shark; the nearest ocean is well over a thousand miles away. (Para.1)
Meaning: From the sentence above, we know that although this place has scenery similar to that along the coasts of the southeastern United States, it is not a coast. Here you will never see a hurricane, or foam stirred by crashing waves, or a dolphin or shark, and the nearest ocean is well over a thousand miles away.
hurricane: n. a violent storm with a strong fast wind, esp. as happens in the western Atlantic ocean
The hurricane blew with such force that trees were uprooted. 飓风刮得极其猛烈，树木被连根拔起。
The location of the island in the middle of the ocean subjects it to frequent hurricanes. 位于大洋中的这个小岛易于受到飓风的袭击。
foam: n. a whitish mass of small bubbles on the surface of a liquid, on skin, etc.
The foam is made by the waves breaking on the shore. 泡沫是由波浪冲击海岸形成的。
The glass of beer was mostly foam. 这杯啤酒大部分是泡沫。
Language Point 3
For this is a naturally occurring but carefully managed inland sea, a flat landscape of glittering water surrounded by hundreds of miles of grass and farms. (Para.1)
Note: The part "a flat landscape of glittering water surrounded by hundreds of miles of grass and farms" is an appositive of "a naturally occurring but carefully managed inland sea" in the sentence, further explaining this inland sea.
glitter: vi. shine brightly, esp. with flashing points of light
Many of the trees were already in blossom and the river glittered in the sunlight. 很多树已经开花了，阳光照耀下的河水波光闪闪。
All that glitters is not gold. 发光的未必都是金子。
glittering: a. bright and shining with flashes of light
I saw the diamond ring glittering on his finger. 我看到钻戒在他手指上闪闪发亮。
The lady dressed with glittering jewels. 这位女士满身珠光宝气。
Language Point 4
These are the Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira marshes, the stopping point for hundreds of thousands of migrant birds...(Para.2)
Meaning: These two places are where hundreds of thousands of migrant birds come for a rest...
migrant：a. (of a person, animal, esp. bird) having the habit of migrating
Swallows are migrant birds. 燕子是候鸟。
Most migrant workers are forced to go to other countries by low wages and unemployment. 大多数流动工人由于低工资和失业被迫到其他国家去谋生。
Language Point 5
On a recent day, various roads that traverse the marshes offered views of some of the rarest birds in the US. (Para.2)
Meaning: On a recent day, from various roads that extend across the marshes people could see some rarest birds in the US.
traverse: vt. extend across; pass across, over or through
He traversed the bay in a balloon. 他乘气球飞跃了海湾。
The district is traversed by several railroads. 有几条铁路线横贯这个地区。
Language Point 6
Views could be had of innumerable ducks, cranes, hawks, and all manner of shorebirds. (Para.2)
Meaning: One could see countless ducks, cranes, hawks, and all kinds of shorebirds.
Language Point 7
...about the only birds missing are penguins. (Para.2)
Meaning: ...penguins are the only birds missing or the only birds you can not see.
Language Point 8
Bird species that occur in the east or the west have a small zone of overlap here, and there are plenty of land birds in addition to the fantastic shorebird display. (Para.3)
Meaning: There is a small area here where you can see bird species from both the east and the west, and besides the fantastic shorebird display there are plenty of land birds as well.
overlap: n. the amount by which two or more things cover each other; the instance of overlapping
the overlap of responsibilities 责任的重叠
There are many overlaps between the approaches, though their specific orientations are quite distinctive. 这些方法中有许多处是重叠的，尽管它们的具体出发点存在差异。
Language Point 9
The inland habitat is packed with various sorts of small worms and young insects, which form the bulk of the birds' nutrition. (Para.3)
Meaning: The inland habitat is filled with various sorts of small worms and young insects, and they form the main source of the birds' food.
pack: v. crowd together (into a place)
The bus was packed with people. 公共汽车挤满了人。
The passengers packed into the train as soon as it pulled up at the station. 火车一停靠车站,乘客就挤了进来。
bulk: n. the main or largest part
The bulk of the text is essentially a review of those original documents. 课文的大部分内容基本上是对那些原始文献的评论。
The great bulk of chronic diseases are preventable. 大部分慢性疾病是可以预防的。
nutrition：n. food considered as sth. that keeps one healthy
Good nutrition is important for good health. 良好的营养对身体健康很重要。
The population of this area steadily increased because of better medical care and nutrition. 此地区的人口有了稳步的增长，其原因在于医疗条件和营养状况的改善。
Language Point 10
Cheyenne Bottoms, a spacious basin comprising some 41,000 acres, is the largest marsh in the interior of the United States. (Para.5)
Meaning: Cheyenne Bottoms is a very large basin consisting of 41,000 acres and is the largest marsh in the interior of the United States.
spacious: a. containing much space ; with plenty of room; very large
a spacious hall 一个宽敞的大厅
She wanted a more spacious house. 她想拥有更宽敞的房子。
Language Point 11
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is south and slightly east of Cheyenne ... (Para.6)
refuge: n. (a place that provides) protection or shelter from danger
Where can we find refuge from the storm? 我们在哪儿才能躲避这场暴风雨呢？
The authorities tried to prevent people from seeking refuge in the embassies of some Western countries. 当局试图阻止人们在一些西方国家大使馆内寻求庇护。
Language Point 12
The US Congress created it in May 1955 after being petitioned by scientists eager to protect migrant birds. (Para.6)
Meaning: It (Quivira National Wildlife Refuge) was officially established by the US Congress in May 1955 after scientists who were eager to protect migrant birds had made a formal request in writing.
petition: v. ask sb. in authority to do sth., esp. formally in writing
He petitioned that he should have been allowed to free himself from a charge of robbery by rendering compensation. 他请求通过给予赔偿金的方式使他免于因抢劫而受到指控。
Petitioning for bankruptcy tends to be the last resort. 请求破产往往是最后的手段。
Language Point 13
"Each area is nationally important; together they have worldwide importance," said an expert on birds and author of a paperback bird watching handbook and several pamphlets on the subject. (Para.7)
Meaning: An expert of birds and author of a paperback bird watching handbook and several pamphlets on the subject said that each area is important for the nation, and together they are important for the whole world.
paperback: n. a book having a flexible paper binding
I have a lot of old paperbacks to sell. 我有许多旧平装本书要卖。
The novel is now available in paperback. 这部小说现在有平装本了。
handbook: n. a small book that gives information about sth.
Of course, that's what the handbook says. Reality is, in fact, much different. 当然，这是手册中所说的。事实上，现实与之完全不一样。
Most of these books are journalism and broadcasting handbooks. 这些书中大部分都是新闻和广播手册。
pamphlet: n. a small thin book with a paper cover, often given free to people
Pamphlets are available at the door. 可以在门口索取小册子。
a pamphlet on child care 关于儿童养育问题的小册子
Language Point 14
"They are especially important in the context of the percentage of individuals of certain species passing through." (Para.7)
Meaning: "They are especially important when it comes to or considering the percentage of individuals of certain species passing through."
in the context of: in the circumstances in which sth. happens or sth. is to be considered
In the context of late 19 century Italy, it was difficult to be both a practicing Christian and a political official. 在19世纪末的意大利，基督徒和行政官员两者不能兼任。
In the context of the present economic crisis, it seems unwise to make such a decision. 在目前经济危机的情况下，做出这样的决定似乎并不是明智之举。
Language Point 15
Small shorebirds that spend the winter at the bottom of South America and breed in Russia in the summer, I got to hold them in my hands and marvel at how they do it. (Para. 9)
Meaning: I held birds in my hands and wondered how they manage to spend the winter at the bottom of South America and produce young in Russia in the summer. What they do is really astonishing.
Language Point 16
To find birds here that I banded from northern Russia and South America, it really put into perspective what is going on here in the center of the Kansas. (Para.9)
Meaning: To find birds that I put bands on from northern Russia and South America, I realized the importance of what is going on in the center of the Kansas.
band: vt. put a band or bands on; mark or identify by putting on a band
The birds are banded so we can track their movements. 我们给这些鸟做上标记，以便观察它们的行踪。
perspective: n. the way of fairly judging the relative importance of things
We must keep the problem in perspective, it is really not that serious. 我们必须对这个问题有个清楚的认识，事情其实并不那么严重。
The new evidence put an entirely different perspective on the case. 新的证据使我们要从完全不同的角度来看待这个案子。
Language Point 17
When Mr. Martinez began his studies in 1965, his bird census work was greeted with doubt... (Para.10)
Meaning: When Mr. Martinez began his studies in 1965, people doubted his work of counting the number of birds...
census: n. an official counting of a country's population, with other important information about people
The census enumerated eighty-six persons over one hundred years old in this mountain area. 根据人口调查，这一带山区共有86位百岁以上老人。
The population of China was over one billion at the 1982 census. 1982年普查时，中国人口超过10亿。
Language Point 18
Eventually, skeptical researchers came here to see if Mr. Martinez could be right, only to be amazed by what he had documented. (Para.10)
Meaning: The skeptical researches came here to see if Mr. Martinez could be right, but what they saw here is far beyond what they had expected. The numbers are not only correct, but also with enough evidence.
only to (do sth.): used for saying that what happens next is disappointing or unpleasant
Yesterday I went to see him, only to learn that he had gone abroad two days before. 昨天我去看他，不料听人说他两天前已出国去了。
We hurried to the meeting, only to find that there were very few people present. 我们匆忙赶到会场，结果发现出席的人很少。
Language Point 19
Although today he is still tan and fit,... (Para.10)
tan: a. yellowish brown
Everybody got so tan after the summer holiday. 暑假过后人人都晒得那么黑。
v. (cause to) become brown, esp. by sunlight
She tans quickly. 她很容易晒黑。
He is well tanned. 他被晒得黑黝黝的。
Language Point 20
...and he is now considered to be the dean of bird researchers in the region. (Para.10)
dean: n. the most senior or prominent member of a body or group
He is regarded as the dean of jurists. 他被认为是法律界的泰斗。
He is a dean in wild animal study. 他是研究野生动物的资深专家。
Language Point 21
And, he noted, the area is just as critical in the fall, when hundreds of thousands of cranes — one species of which is federally listed as endangered — and countless other water birds stop over on their way south. (Para.11)
Meaning: And, he noted, the area is equally important in the fall, because, at this time of the year, hundreds of thousands of cranes — one species of which is listed as endangered by the government — and countless other water birds stop here for a while on their way south.
stop over：break one's journey and stay at a place overnight or for some short time
After the Brussels meeting, he stopped over in London. 开完布鲁塞尔会议后，他在伦敦逗留了一下。
Many motorists were forced to stop over in that town because of floods. 由于发大水，许多开汽车的人被迫停在那个小镇上。
Language Point 22
Irregular rainfall, periodic flooding, and the vagaries of nature combined to make the surrounding land marginal for cattle farming. (Para.12)
Meaning: Irregular rainfall, flooding from time to time and unexpected changes of nature altogether made it impossible or very difficult for surrounding land to be used for cattle farming.
periodic：a. occurring or appearing at usu. regular intervals
Periodic health checkups are important. 定期接受体检很重要。
He suffered from periodic attacks of dizziness. 他的眩晕周期性发作。
Language Point 23
Often, fluctuating water levels put the best shorebird habitat on grassland outside the protected areas. (Para.12)
fluctuate: vi. rise and fall as if in waves; vary irregularly
His feelings fluctuated between excitement and fear. 他的情绪在兴奋与恐惧之间变化不定。
The demand fluctuates seasonally. 需求随季节而变动。
Language Point 24
The Nature Conservancy stepped in to protect additional land, moving out the cows and bulls to make room for shorebirds. (Para.12)
Meaning: The Nature Conservancy got involved to protect additional land, driving away the cows and bulls to provide more space for shorebirds.
step in：become involved in; intervene
The brawl was well under way by the time the police stepped in. 等到警察来干涉时，架已经打了好一阵了。
The government stepped in to limit car imports from other countries. 政府出面干预，限制从其他国家进口汽车。
Language Point 25
Now, communities in the surrounding area have pegged their future to the hope that the area's growing reputation as a premier bird watching site will bring visitors and their dollars to the region. (Para.13)
Meaning: As a major bird watching site, the area is growing in reputation. Now, communities in the surrounding area have fixed their future on the hope that the growing reputation will attract or draw visitors and also their money to the region.
peg: vt. fasten or keep sth. within position with a peg or pegs
She pegged the washing on the line. 她把洗好的衣物夹在凉衣绳上。
The feature was pegged on the riots. 这篇特写是以暴乱为题材的。
premier：a. first in status or importance; principal or chief
Our premier task is to find out the cause of the disease. 我们的主要任务是找到疾病的起因。
This discovery is of premier importance to the further study of the region. 这一发现对于进一步研究该地区具有非常重要的作用。
Language Point 26
Municipal governments, motel operators and others in the hospitality industry hope to see more and more bird watchers. (Para.13)
municipal: a. relating to a town, city, etc. under its own government
a municipal council 市议会
the municipal government 市政府
motel: n. a hotel for traveling motorists, usu. on a single level with space for a car near each room
They stayed at a motel last night. 昨天晚上他们住在一家汽车旅店。
hospitality: n.
1) food, drink, and entertainment given to customers by a company or organization
The hospitality industry provides many job opportunities. 服务行业提供很多就业机会。
2) friendly and generous behaviour towards guests, intended to make them feel welcome
The people of your village showed me great hospitality. 你们村里的人对我非常热情。
We were greatly delighted by the hospitality of the local people. 当地人的好客使我们非常高兴。
Language Point 27
Though she could barely communicate with the Americans she encountered there, her giggle and the blush of happiness on her face needed no translation. (Para.14)
Meaning: Though she could hardly communicate with the Americans she met there because of language barrier, from her giggle and the happy blush on her face we could tell how happy and excited she was to be at the place.
giggle: n. a high laugh, esp. a nervous or silly one
She burst into giggles. 她突然咯咯地笑起来。
As soon as I entered the school, I heard the giggles of schoolgirls. 我一进学校就听到了女学生咯咯的笑声。
blush：n. the act of becoming red in the face from shame or embarrassment
This brought the blush of shame to his face. 这使他羞愧得脸红。
She turned away to hide her blushes. 她转过头去不让人看到她脸红。
