Mumbai: 21st July: BNHS is all set to launch the revised edition of “A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent” by Sálim Ali and S Dillon Ripley first published in 1983. The new book in a new attractive avatar is titled “Birds of the Indian Subcontinent – A Field Guide” co-authored by Ranjit Manakadan, J C Daniel and Nikhil Bhopale. Their insights span three generations of avian expertise at BNHS. The book offers a lot more information, illustrations and other features as compared to the earlier book, at an affordable price. The book will be launched on 30th July 2011.
Salient features of the new book
Contains 1251 species of birds from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives
Contains notes of over 100 other tentative bird species found in the subcontinent
Contains 112 plates of colour illustrations, along with 53 colour photos and informative text spread over 400 pages
Contains species descriptions such as the size, colour, plumage, beak and range to aid field identification since just pictorial representation is not enough in case of several bird species
Map of the Indian subcontinent
Priced at just Rs 550, which makes it affordable to a wide section of the society
Both old and new names
A very significant feature of the new book is that it includes both the old and new common names of birds, along with the scientific names. It has been observed that names of several bird species have been changed over time to aid better identification and classification. Since the new book contains both the old and new names, if will avoid any confusion in the minds of the bird watchers and readers.
New species / rediscovered species included
The book includes the illustration of one new species recorded by bird experts in the subcontinent, viz. Bugun Liocichla, which is found in the northeast region of India. It also includes the illustration of Serendib Scops Owl, which was rediscovered in Sri Lanka.
Utility of Field Guides
Correct identification is the basis of meaningful bird watching as well as scientific field research. A field observation is meaningful and educative only when the concerned species is correctly identified. Good illustrations, along with important information about the bird are fundamental.
— Atul Sathe, PRO, BNHS
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