I agree that the Nikon Monarch 8X42s are great, probably the best valued 8x binoculars for birding in the under $500 (maybe even under $1000) price range -- tough, light-weight, waterproof, good in low light, and under $300. They are definitely the binocs to have with you in the field, or on the street in this case.
But if you're going to have a pair for use in your office only and can spend $400, I would go with a Canon image stabilized 10x30. You'd be giving up waterproof, toughness, and low light capability for higher magnification and rock steady images even with "shaky" hands. These are good trade offs when you are viewing falcons flying over Chase Tower from the comfort of your office, assuming the fire sprinkler system doesn't go off too often. You could also bring them out on the street on sunny days so the rest of us watchers could test drive them.
So buy both and write off the office pair as a business expense.
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