rock-horned species by the paler, greyer plumage, and by the fact that
its eyes are deep yellow, rather than orange. Its cry has been
described as _wo_, _wo_, _wo_, _wo-o-o_. The writer would rather
represent it as _ur-r-r_, _ur-r-r_, _ur-r-r-r-r_--a low grunting sound
not unlike the call of the red turtle-dove. This owl is very partial
to crows. Mr. Cripps once found fifteen heads of young crows in a nest
belonging to one of these birds. December and January are the months
in which to look for the nest, which is a platform of sticks placed in
a fork of a large tree. Two eggs are laid.
The breeding season for Bonelli's eagle (_Hieraetus fasciatus_) begins
in December. The eyrie of this fine bird is described in the calendar
for January.
In the Punjab many ravens build their nests during the present month.
Throughout January, February and the early part of March ravens' nests
containing eggs or young are likely to be seen.
Ordinarily the nesting season of the common kite (_Milvus govinda_)
does not begin until February, but as the eggs of this bird have been
taken as early as the 29th December, mention of it must be made in the
calendar for the present month. A similar remark applies to the hoopoe
(_Upupa indica_).
Doves nest in December, as they do in every other month.
Occasionally a colony of cliff-swallows (_Hirundo flavicolla_) takes
time by the forelock and begins to build one of its honeycomb-like
congeries of nests in December. This species was dealt with in the
calendar for February.
Blue rock-pigeons mostly nest at the beginning of the hot weather.
Hume, however, states that some of these birds breed as early as
Christmas Day. Mr. P. G. S. O'Connor records the finding of a nest
even earlier than that. The nest in question was in a weir of a canal.
The weir was pierced by five round holes, each about nine inches in
diameter. Through four of these the water was rushing, but the fifth
was blocked by debris, and on this a pair of pigeons had placed their
nest.
GLOSSARY
_Arhar_. A leguminous crop plant which attains a height of four feet
or more.
_Chik_. A curtain composed of a number of very thin strips of wood.
Chiks are hung in front of doors and windows in India with the object
of keeping out insects, but not air.
_Holi_. A Hindu festival.
_Jhil_. A lake or any natural depression which is filled with
rain-water at all or in certain seasons.
_Kharif_. Autumn. Rice and other crops which are reaped in autumn are
called _kharif_ crops. Crops such as wheat which are cut in spring are
called _rabi_ crops. Two crops (sometimes three) are raised in India
annually.
_Megas_. Sugar-cane from which the juice has been extracted.
_Rabi_. Spring. See _Kharif_.
_Shikari_. One who goes hunting or shooting.
_Tope_. A term applied to a grove of mango trees, artificially
planted. Thousands of such topes exist in Northern India. In some
places they are quite a feature of the landscape.
INDEX
Amadavat. _See_ Red munia
Babbler, common (_Crateropus canorus_), 36, 49, 68, 82, 89, 108, 120,
124, 142, 156, 162, 163, 183
--large grey (_Argya malcomi_), 162
Barbet, green (_Thereiceryx zeylonicus_), 7, 20, 53, 66, 68, 82, 89,
106, 108, 121, 138, 155, 168, 185, 192
Baya. _See_ Weaver-bird
Bee-eater, 3, 73, 74, 108, 120, 125, 139, 157, 169, 172, 182
--blue-tailed (_Merops philippinus_), 43, 89
--little green (_M. viridis_), 43, 89
Blue Jay. _See_ Roller
Blue-throat, 172
Brain-fever bird. _See_ Hawk-cuckoo
Bulbul, 5, 20, 36, 65, 68, 89, 107, 108, 123, 182, 185
--Bengal (_Molpastes bengalensis_), 47
--black (_Hypsipetes psaroides_), 192
--red-whiskered (_Otocompsa emeria_), 46
Bunting, 40, 41, 172, 183
--black-headed (_Emberiza melanocephala_), 41
--pine (_Emberiza leucocephala_), 193
--red-headed (_Emberiza luteola_), 41
Buzzard, 175, 183
--long-legged (_Buteo ferox_), 160
--white-eyed (_Butastur teesa_), 30, 44, 68, 69, 89, 108, 160
Chat, 3
--brown-rock (_Cercomela fuscus_), 59, 70, 89, 108, 123, 138
--dark grey bush (_Oreicola ferrea_), 193
--Indian bush (_Pratincola maura_), 42, 172, 173
--pied bush (_Pratincola caprata_), 21, 65, 74, 89, 170
Coot, common (_Fulica atra_), 135
--purple (_Porphyrio poliocephalus_), 121, 133, 135, 146, 184
Coppersmith or crimson-breasted barbet (_Xantholaema haematocephala_),
7, 20, 23, 44, 53, 66, 68, 82, 89, 106, 108, 121, 138, 169, 185, 191
Cormorant, 3, 133, 135, 142, 183
Crane, 184
--demoiselle (_Anthropoides virgo_), 167, 171
--sarus (_Grus antigone_), 5, 98, 133, 143, 156, 176
Creeper, wall, 192
Crow, 13, 36, 69, 119, 156, 169, 183, 185
--black, or jungle crow or corby (_Corvus macrorhynchus_), 5, 25, 44,
68, 89
--house (_Corvus splendens_), 5, 108, 113, 124, 125, 141, 162
Crow-pheasant or coucal (_Centropus sinensis_), 36, 82, 112,
120, 138, 142, 156, 164, 170, 176, 183
Cuckoo, European (_Cuculus canorus_), 66, 80
--hawk (_Hierococcyx varius_), 20, 36, 49, 82, 84, 120, 124, 138, 155,
157, 168
--Indian (_Cuculus micropterus_), 85, 120, 138
--pied crested (_Coccystes jacobinus_), 114, 120, 124, 138, 142, 155,
157, 163
--sirkeer (_Taccocua leschenaulti_), 124
Cuckoo-shrike (_Grauculus macii_), 5, 51, 52, 89, 108, 124, 142, 169
Curlew, 171, 184
Dabchick, or little grebe (_Podiceps albipennis_), 150, 183
Darter. _See_ Snake-bird
Dhayal. _See_ Magpie-robin
Did-he-do-it. _See_ Red-wattled lapwing
Dove, 8, 9, 21, 44, 54, 68, 89, 108, 123, 156, 162, 169, 174, 185
--little brown (_Turtur cambayensis_), 5
--red turtle (_Oenopopelia tranquebarica_), 157, 172
--ring (_Turtur risorius_), 5
--spotted (_Turtur suratensis_), 5
Drongo or king-crow (_Dicrurus ater_), 3, 36, 38, 43, 77, 90, 107,
108, 120, 121, 138, 157, 169, 170, 182, 192
Duck, 3, 133, 146, 183, 185
--brahminy (_Casarca rutila_), 64, 185
--comb or nukta (_Sarcidiornis melanotus_), 115, 135, 143,
149
--gadwall (_Chaulelasmus streperus_), 64, 171
--mallard (_Anas boscas_), 64
--pintail (_Dafila acuta_), 41, 64, 171
--pochard (_Netta ferina_), 64, 171
--shoveller (_Spatula clypeata_), 171
--spot-billed (_Anas poecilorhyncha_), 134, 135
--widgeon (_Mareca penelope_), 64, 171
Eagle, 21
--Bonelli's (_Hieraetus fasciatus_), 10, 44, 197
--Pallas's fishing (_Haliaetus leucoryphus_), 11, 43, 187, 193
--steppe (_Aquila bifasciata_), 160
--tawny (_Aquila vindhiana_), 11, 44, 68, 89, 160, 187, 193
Egret, 99, 133, 134, 135, 142
--cattle (_Bubulcus coromandus_), 100, 151
Falcon, lugger (_Falco jugger_), 160
--peregrine (_Falco peregrinus_), 160, 161, 174
--shahin (_Falco peregrinator_), 174
Finch, rose (_Carpodacus erythrinus_), 158, 172, 183
Finch-lark, ashy-crowned (_Pyrrhulauda grisea_), 28, 44, 56, 68, 89,
183
Flycatcher, 3, 185
--fantail (_Rhipidura albifrontata_), 5, 29, 44, 68, 83, 89, 106, 108,
125, 142, 156, 170, 182, 191
--grey-headed (_Culicicapa ceylonensis_), 6, 21, 42, 156, 170, 172,
182, 191, 192
--paradise (_Terpsiphone paradisi_), 42, 43, 77, 92, 107, 108, 123,
157, 172
--red-breasted (_Siphia albicilla_), 172
--verditer (_Stoparola melanops_), 42, 193
Gadwall. _See_ Duck
Goatsucker. _See_ Nightjar
Goose, 3, 64, 171, 185
--grey-lag (_Anser ferus_), 41
Grebe. _See_ Dabchick
Harrier, 161, 183
Hawk, sparrow, 160
Heron, 135, 184
--night (_Nycticorax griseus_), 89, 113, 133, 142
--pond, or paddy-bird (_Ardeola grayii_), 99, 113, 134, 142, 184
Honeysucker. _See_ Sunbird
Hoopoe (_Upupa indica_), 7, 17, 20, 23, 68, 83, 97, 108, 170, 182,
185, 191, 197
Hornbill, grey (_Lophoceros birostris_), 78, 95, 108
Ibis, 184
--black (_Inocotis papillosus_), 135
Iora (_Aegithina tiphia_), 35, 65, 71, 72, 83, 89, 106, 108, 121, 123
Jacana, 121, 133, 185
--bronze-winged (_Metopus indicus_), 134, 135, 144, 145, 183
--pheasant-tailed (_Hydrophasianus chirurgus_), 114, 135, 144, 145,
183
Jackdaw, 3, 172
Jungle-fowl (_Gallus ferrugineus_), 108
Kestrel, 160, 161, 183
King-crow. _See_ Drongo
Kingfisher, 184, 185
--pied (_Ceryle rudis_), 27, 44, 68, 88
--white-breasted (_Halcyon smyrnensis_), 5, 45, 68, 73, 89, 106, 108,
121, 138, 182
Kite (_Milvus govinda_), 5, 14, 26, 44, 68, 89, 108, 119, 156, 160,
169, 183, 185, 191
--black-winged (_Elanus caeruleus_), 160
--brahminy (_Haliastur indicus_), 56, 68
--large Indian (_Milvus melanotis_), 160
Koel (_Eudynamis honorata_), 8, 43, 82, 84, 110, 120, 124, 125, 138,
141, 155, 157, 163, 168
Lapwing, 108, 123, 183
--red-wattled (_Sarcogrammus indicus_), 5, 77, 88, 89, 139
--yellow-wattled (_Sarciophorus malabaricus_), 77, 89
Lark, crested (_Galerita cristata_), 21, 56, 89, 108
--red-winged bush (_Mirafra erythroptera_), 123
--sky (_Alauda gulgula_), 21, 68, 89, 108, 183, 191
Mallard. _See_ Duck
Martin, sand (_Cotyle sinensis_), 14, 21, 44, 68, 73, 89, 167, 187,
193
Merlin, common (_Aesalon regulus_), 160, 161
--red-headed (_Aesalon chicquera_), 12, 21, 44, 68, 89, 160
Minivet, 51, 158, 172, 181
--little (_Pericrocotus peregrinus_), 52, 68, 89, 125, 142
Munia, 21
--red or amadavat (_Estrelda amandava_), 15, 44, 124, 140, 156, 186
--white-throated (_Uroloncha malabarica_), 16, 44, 162, 186
Myna, 5, 82, 108, 156, 157, 175, 182, 183
--bank (_Acridotheres ginginianus_), 59, 89, 94, 123
--brahminy (_Temenuchus pagodarum_), 73, 94, 124
--common (_Acridotheres tristis_), 59, 73, 93, 124, 142, 162, 185
--pied. _See_ Pied Starling
Nightjar, 53, 66, 87, 89, 108
--Franklin's (_Caprimulgus monticolus_), 37, 88
--Horsfield's (_Caprimulgus horsfieldi_), 37, 88, 106
--Indian (_Caprimulgus asiaticus_), 37, 88
Nuthatch (_Sitta castaneiventris_), 7, 20, 23, 44, 68, 83, 88, 182,
192
Openbill (_Anastomus oscitans_), 142
Oriole, 78, 83, 106, 108, 124, 138, 156, 157, 169, 172, 182, 191
--black-headed (_Oriolus melanocephalus_), 20, 42
--Indian (_Oriolus kundoo_), 42, 90
Osprey, 3, 160, 161, 184
Ouzel, black-throated (_Merula atrigularis_), 193
--grey-winged (_Merula boulboul_), 193
Owl, 66, 159
--barn (_Strix flammea_), 29, 49
--brown fish (_Ketupa ceylonensis_), 14, 21, 44, 193, 194, 195
--collared scops (_Scops bakkamaena_), 22, 44, 87
--dusky horned (_Bubo coromandus_), 6, 14, 22, 193, 196
--mottled wood (_Syrnium ocellatum_), 22, 44
--rock horned (_Bubo bengalensis_), 14, 21, 44, 193, 195
Owlet, jungle (_Glaucidium radiatum_), 6, 86, 138, 169
--spotted (_Athene brama_), 6, 53, 68, 86, 88, 98, 118, 138, 169
Paddy-bird. _See_ Pond-heron
Paroquet or green parrot, 5, 30, 36, 68, 88, 97, 156, 169, 183, 185
--alexandrine (_Palaeornis eupatrius_), 31, 44
--rose-winged (_Palaeornis torquatus_), 31, 44, 53
Parrot, green _See_ Paroquet
Partridge, black (_Francolinus vulgaris_), 98, 107, 138
--grey (_Francolinus pondicerianus_), 76, 89, 97, 108, 162, 186
Pea-fowl (_Pavo cristatus_), 98, 124, 138, 142, 162
Pelican, 3, 184
Pie, tree (_Dendrocitta rufa_), 5, 36, 59, 68, 89, 108, 123, 169, 185
Pigeon, blue rock (_Columba intermedia_), 17, 22, 69, 89, 108, 197
--green (_Crocopus phoenicopterus_), 89, l08, 123
Pipit (_Anthus rufulus_), 56, 68, 89, 108
Plover, 142, 183
--little ringed (_Aegialitis dubia_), 89
--spur-winged (_Hoplopterus ventralis_), 57, 89
--swallow (_Glareola lactea_), 57
Pochard. _See_ Duck
Quail, 64, 183
--grey (_Coturnix communis_), 159, 172
--rain (_Coturnix coromandelica_), 121
Rail, water (_Rallus indicus_), 184
Raven, 3, 14, 44, 197
Redstart, Indian (_Ruticilla frontalis_), 158, 167, 172, 173, 182, 192
--white-capped (_Chimarrhornis leucocephalus_), 193
Robin, Indian (_Thamnobia cambayensis_), 21, 35, 59, 65, 76, 89, 108,
123, 182, 191
--magpie (_Copsychus saularis_), 8, 35, 65, 73, 74, 83, 89, 106, 108,
120, 121, 123, 138, 155, 182
Roller or "blue jay" (_Coracias indica_), 38, 39, 53, 67, 73, 83, 89,
106, 108, 123, 139, 141, 156, 169, 170, 182
Rook, 3, 172
Sand-grouse, 77, 89
Sandpiper, 171
Seven Sisters. _See_ Babbler
Shikra (_Astur badius_), 69, 89, 160
Shoveller. _See_ Duck
Shrike, 38, 50, 68, 89, 108, 123, 142, 182
--bay-backed (_Lanius vittatus_), 51
--large grey (_Lanius lahtora_), 21, 32, 50
--rufous-backed (_Lanius erythronotus_), 51
Skimmer, Indian (_Rhynchops albicollis_), 57
Skylark. _See_ Lark
Snake-bird (_Plotus melanogaster_), 3, 133, 135, 142, 183
Snipe, 3, 64, 139, 158, 172, 184, 192
--fantail or full (_Gallinago coelestis_), 140
--jack (_Gallinago gallinula_), 140
--pintail (_Gallinago stenura_), 139
Sparrow (_Passer domesticus_), 54, 89, 108, 123, 185
--yellow-throated (_Gymnorhis flavicollis_), 43, 73, 89, 157, 172
Spoonbill, 135, 142
Starling, 3, 172, 182
--pied (_Sternopastor contra_), 77, 94, 107, 124, 138, 142, 155, 168
--rosy (_Pastor roseus_), 36, 40, 139
Stork, 171, 184
--black-necked (_Xenorhynchus asiaticus_), 176, 186, 193
--white-necked (_Dissura episcopus_), 113, 124, 135, 142
Sunbird, purple (_Arachnechthra asiatica_), 3, 6, 8, 20, 24, 36, 43,
44, 65, 68, 89, 106, 108, 123, 156, 157, 170, 172, 182, 185, 191
Swallow, 172, 182, 184
--Indian cliff (_Hirundo fluvicola_), 17, 22, 44, 68, 89, 133, 140,
197
--wire-tailed (_Hirundo smithii_), 54, 68, 89, 108, 124, 125, 142
Swift (_Cypselus indicus_), 54, 68, 89, 108, 123, 142, 182, 184
Tailor-bird (_Orthotomus sutorius_), 5, 59, 65, 72, 82, 89, 108, 124,
169, 182
Teal, 3, 64, 143, 171, 183
--cotton (_Nettopus coromandelianus_), 121, 135, 148
--garganey or blue-winged (_Querquedula circia_), 139, 159, 171
--whistling (_Dendocygna javanica_), 185
Tern, 57, 68, 142, 184
--black-bellied (_Sterna melanogaster_), 57
--river, (_Sterna seena_), 57
Thrush, blue rock (_Petrophila cyanus_), 192
--Himalayan whistling (_Myophoneus temmincki_), 193
--small-billed mountain (_Oreocincla dauma_), 192
Tit, green-backed (_Parus monticola_), 192
Vulture, 21, 159, 183
--Pondicherry or black (_Otogyps calvus_), 26, 44, 68, 88
--scavenger (_Neophron ginginianus_), 56, 68, 89
--white-backed (_Pseudogyps bengalensis_), 9, 68, 186, 193
Wagtail, 156, 157, 167, 172, 173, 182, 183, 184
--grey (_Motacilla melanope_), 158
--masked (_Motacilla personata_), 158
--pied (_Motacilla maderaspatensis_), 59, 65, 74, 89
--white (_Motacilla alba_), 158
--white-faced (_Motacilla leucopsis_), 158
Warbler, 139, 156, 181, 185, 191
--ashy wren (_Prinia socialis_), 124, 132, 142
--flycatcher (_Cryptolopha xanthoschista_), 192
--Indian wren (_Prinia inornata_), 48, 68, 108, 124, 131, 142
--reed (_Acrocephalus stentoreus_), 184
Water-hen, white-breasted (_Gallinula phoenicura_), 98, 124, 133, 146
Weaver-bird or baya (_Ploceus baya_), 114, 127, 142, 163, 176
Whimbrel, 184
White-eye (_Zosterops palpebrosa_), 5, 65, 71, 89, 108, 123, 180, 182,
185
Widgeon. _See_ Duck
Woodpecker, golden-backed (_Brachypternus aurantius_), 5, 53, 68, 89,
106, 108, 121, 182
--pied (_Liopicus mahrattensis_), 28, 44, 53, 68, 89, 182
Wood-shrike (_Tephrodornis pondicerianus_), 7, 32, 51, 65, 68, 89,
170, 182, 185
Wryneck, 182
ANIMALS OF NO IMPORTANCE
BY DOUGLAS DEWAR
PRESS OPINIONS
_Nature_.--"We may commend the book as an excellent example of 'Nature
teaching.'"
_Literary World_.--"Mr. Dewar makes us laugh while he teaches us....
These twenty essays are in all ways delightful."
_Saturday Review_.--"A number of excellent books on Natural
History ... proceed from Anglo-Indian authors; and certainly this ... is
worthy of its predecessors."
_Academy_.--"A chatty anecdote book ... showing a sense of humour and
kindly insight ... many amusing stories."
_Indian Daily News_.--"Brightly and cleverly written ... pleasant and
amusing reading."
_Morning Post_ (Delhi).--"A treasure-trove of literary art."
_Madras Mail_.--"Mr. Dewar ... displays quite remarkable knowledge and
insight as well as a pretty wit.... Mr. Dewar's volume is calculated
to give delight to all who are interested in the creatures of God's
earth. Its humours will raise many a smile, while its keenness and
accuracy of observation should induce many readers to study more
closely the ... life ... around them."
_Civil and Military Gazette_.--"Shows the faculty of observation as
well as a pleasant style."
_Englishman_.--"The reader will easily fall under the sway of the
writer's charms.... Mr. Dewar's book is as interesting as it is
entertaining."
BOMBAY DUCKS
AN ACCOUNT OF SOME OF THE EVERYDAY BIRDS AND BEASTS FOUND IN A
NATURALIST'S EL DORADO
BY DOUGLAS DEWAR
ILLUSTRATED BY MAJOR F. D. S. FAYRER
PRESS OPINIONS
_Standard_.--"The book is entertaining, even to a reader who is not a
naturalist first and a reader afterwards.... The illustrations cannot
be too highly praised."
_Daily News_.--"A charming introduction to a great many interesting
birds."
_Scotsman_.--"Like a good curry, it is richly and agreeably seasoned
with a pungent humour."
_Manchester Guardian_.--"A series of clever and accurate essays on
Indian Natural History written by a man who really knows the birds and
beasts."
_Daily Chronicle_.--"A series of informing and often diverting
chapters."
_Tribune_.--"Those who know India ... will find themselves smiling
again and again at the vivid recollection called up by these
descriptions."
_Times_.--"A collection of bright popular papers by an observant
naturalist."
_Pall Mall Gazette_.--"Most entertaining dissertations on the tricks
and manners of many birds and beasts in India."
_Yorkshire Daily Observer_.--"This handsome and charming book ... the
author has many interesting observations to record, and he does so in
a very racy manner."
_Spectator_.--"Mr. Douglas Dewar's book is excellent ... the
photographs of birds by Captain Fayrer ... are most remarkable."
_Graphic_.--"Light and easy, yet full of information."
_County Gentleman_.--"Thoroughly interesting."
_Illustrated London News_.--"Mr. Dewar ... has collected a series of
essays on bird life which for sprightliness and charm are equal to
anything written since that classic 'The Tribes on my Frontier' was
published."
_Shooting Times_.--"... a more delightful work ... has not passed
through our hands for many a long day.... There is not a dull line in
the book, which is beautifully illustrated."
_Truth_.--"... a naturalist with a happy gift for writing in a bright
and entertaining way, yet without any sacrifice of scientific
accuracy."
_Outlook_.--"... the essays make pleasant reading.... We doubt if
anything better has been done in bird photography."
_Pioneer_.--"... not only is the book very fascinating to read, but
most instructive."
_Indian Daily News_.--"Mr. Dewar's excellent book ... beautifully
illustrated."
_Indian Daily Telegraph_.--"Mr. Dewar's book is of the kind of
delightful volume which is always to be kept at hand and dipped into."
_Madras Mail_.--"Phil Robinson delighted a generation that knew not
'Eha,' and now Mr. Dewar will complete a trio which, for some time to
come at least, will stand for all that is best in that branch of
literature which they have made their own."
_Civil and Military Gazette_.--"A volume which is far the best of its
kind since the immortal works of Phil Robinson and 'Eha.'"
_The Indian Field_.--"... these charming chapters.... There is not a
dull paragraph in the whole book."
BIRDS OF THE PLAINS
BY DOUGLAS DEWAR
PRESS OPINIONS
_Daily Chronicle_.--"Here is a work worthy of all commendation to
those who love birds."
_Daily Graphic_.--"... a work which all bird lovers will welcome ...
beautifully illustrated."
_Daily Express_.--"... light, sprightly and thoroughly entertaining."
_Globe_.--"Mr. Dewar ... is gifted with the descriptive art in a high
degree, and his vivacious style communicates the characters and habits
of the birds with unerring fidelity and infinite spirit."
_Sportsman_.--"Mr. Dewar has a delightfully simple and quaintly
humorous way of expressing himself, and his clever word-pictures of
bird-life make charming reading."
_Manchester Guardian_.--"His breezy style is pleasant and easy
reading. The photographs deserve the highest praise."
_Manchester Courier_.--"Mr. Dewar has produced a book that will
delight not only ornithologists, but all who have the good fortune to
light on this humorously instructive volume."
_Western Morning News_.--"The book is enjoyable from the playful
preface to the last chapter."
_Spectator_.--"... the contents are excellent."
_Field_.--"... it may well stand on the same bookshelf with the
entertaining and instructive writings of 'Eha.'"
_Madame_.--"... accounts of many birds written in the author's
inimitable style."
_Outlook_.--"... as charming a volume--avowedly ornithological--as it
has been our good fortune to encounter."
_Sunday Times_.--"Mr. Dewar, like Goldsmith, has a delightful style."
_Pall Mall Gazette_.--"Mr. Dewar's volume is one of the best recent
examples of sound information conveyed in attractive literary form."
_Literary World_.--"Upon every page ... there is a merit to justify
the existence of the page."
_Dundee Advertiser_.--"... just as good reading as ... 'Bombay Ducks,'
and to say so much is to bestow high praise."
_Birmingham Post_.--"There is a gladness in his aspect, a pleasing
inquisitiveness concerning bird mystery, and a simple, candid style of
self-revelation in his essays full of fascination, with touches now
and again that remind one of the descriptive qualities of Francis A.
Knight. The wood-joy that inspired the felicitous phrases and
delightful reflections of John Burroughs in the Western Hemisphere
finds its counterpart in these Indian bird-pictures."
_Indian Field_.--"... not a volume that will grow dusty and uncared
for on a neglected shelf."
_Times of India_.--"The book has a charm all its own, and is written
with rare humour, a humour that in no way detracts from its scientific
utility."
_Englishman_.--"One of the most interesting books on bird-life we have
seen."
INDIAN BIRDS
A KEY TO THE COMMON BIRDS OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA
BY DOUGLAS DEWAR
PRESS OPINIONS
_Pall Mall Gazette_.--"This practical and useful work ... is a key to
the everyday birds of the Indian plains, in which birds are classified
according to their habits and outward differences ... and familiarity
with these pages would enable the average man in a few weeks to know
all the birds he meets in an Indian station."
_Daily Mail_.--"The plan of this clever little volume ... is as simple
as it is ingenious.... It is a safe and thorough guide."
_Athenaeum_.--"Mr. Dewar is a capable guide."
_Manchester Guardian_.--"... new, original and invaluable to the
beginner ... it is a small book, but it represents a wonderful amount
of thoughtful ingenuity and patient work."
_Daily News_.--"We feel inclined to defy any Indian bird to hide its
identity from an enquirer armed with this volume."
_Truth_.--"An admirable practical handbook of Indian ornithology."
_Scotsman_.--"Mr. Dewar's compact, clearly classified, concise and
comprehensive manual ... cannot but prove eminently serviceable."
_Spectator_.--"The book is most carefully compiled and much ingenuity
is displayed in framing this artificial analysis."
_Western Daily Mercury_.--"A very interesting volume."
_Manchester Courier_.--"All ornithologists in India ... will
appreciate and value 'Indian Birds.'"
_Literary Post_.--"... a model of all that such a book should be."
_Pioneer_.--"The plan of the book is unique.... It can be heartily
recommended."
_Indian Field_.--"We can thoroughly recommend this book to all not
versed in ornithology and who wish to know our birds without having to
kill them."
JUNGLE FOLK
ACCOUNTS OF SOME OF THE SMALLER FRY OF THE INDIAN JUNGLE
BY DOUGLAS DEWAR
PRESS OPINIONS
_Westminster Gazette_.--"Mr. Dewar writes brightly and cleverly about
these lesser jungle folk."
_Scotsman_.--"... interesting and delightful."
_Evening Standard_.--"The author ... writes not only out of the
fulness of his knowledge, but in a pleasant unpedantic style."
_Liverpool Daily Post_.--"... most readable and enjoyable."
_Sunday Times_.--"We give his book the highest praise possible when we
say that it will serve as a matter-of-fact commentary to Mr. Kipling's
'Jungle Books.'"
_Irish Independent_.--"... a work of the most captivating charm."
_Outlook_.--"... pleasant little essays."