{HISTORY}

Full of exotic appeal and gorgeous illustrations, this vintage bird book focuses on all the birds that live in India year-round as well as those that migrate to and from.

First published in 1941 by Salim Ali (1896-1987), one of India's most well-known ornithologists, this edition is the 6th printing published in 1961. In relation to previous versions, this edition includes more color plates, Hindi identification names, and a reversed classification order. 

Specificities aside, this book is just lovely in presentation. From its deep red and gold gilt coverboards to its full color illustrations,  it also includes a series of black and white drawings and photographs.

Some birds will be universally known. (gulls, herons, ducks, swifts, kingfishers, etc... but others will offer a fascinating glimpse into India's colorful avian world. The Painted Partridge, the Bluethroated Barbet, the Bronzewinged Jacana, the Pinkheaded Duck, the Purple Moorhen, the Green Dove, the Golden-backed Woodpecker, the Red Junglefowl all dazzle the eye and the imagination with their exotic plumage.  

Like any traditional field guide, The Book Of Indian Birds contains all the identification details needed to spot each bird in its natural habitat, including physical description, diet,  personality characteristics, nesting sites, and calls.

Salim went out of his way to bring character and relatability to each bird's description, offering readers a fascinating look at India's winged wonders. The call of a Collard Scoops Owl is described as a soft interrogative wut, repeated monotonously every 2 or 3 seconds over long stretches of time between dusk and dawn. The call of Crimsonbreasted Barbet sounds like "a distant coppersmith hammering on his metal." The Whitebreasted Ground Thrush digs in mulch for insects and windfallen berries. The movements of the Jungle Crow often leads to the discovery of a tiger or panther kill hidden in the jungle, which it is quick to locate. The Slatyheaded Scimitar Babbler sings to his mate in a musical flute-like call that is promptly acknowledged and returned, making it sound like one long song produced by one solitary bird. If you are not traveling to India anytime soon, don't worry,  Salim's book will make you feel like you are already there. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Sixth edition, published in 1961 published by the Bombay Historical Society
• 158 pages not including color plates or index 
• Includes rainfall and migration maps
  

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition, this book looks practically brand new. The coverboards are clean and bright. The interior pages contain no spots or stains. There are a few small, discreet check marks by some bird descriptions made by a previous owner, most likely noting which birds were identified in the wild. The spine is tight and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 7.5" inches (length) x 5" inches (width) x 1" inch (thickness) and weighs 1 lb.