Contents: Vol. I. Acknowledgements. Preface. General introduction. I. Fundamental ornithology: Introduction to Part I: Fundamental ornithology: 1. Birds: Indian Gazetteer, 1960... II. Bird ecology: Introduction to part II: Bird ecology: 1. Flower-birds and bird-flowers in India, 1932. 2. Gagodar to Nanda (camp), 1946. III. Bird species: Introduction to part III: Bird species: 1. The racket-feathers of Dissemurus paradiseus, 1929. 2. Mainly in quest of Finn's Baya, 1935.... IV. Breeding and nesting: Introduction to part IV: Breeding and nesting: 1. The nesting habits of the Baya: a new interpretation of their domestic relations, 1931.... V. Bird migration: Introduction to part V: Bird migration: 1. The migration of the Rosy Pastor, 1931.....
Vol. II. VI. Bird behaviour: Introduction to part VI: bird behaviour: 1. Mating habits of the Common Kite, 1926. 2. The mating of Paroquets, 1927.... VII. Economic ornithology: Introduction to part VII: Economic ornithology: 1. The role of sunbirds and flower-peckers in the propagation and distribution of the tree-parasite Loranthus Longiflorus, Dest., in the Konkan (W. India), 1933. 2. General remarks on the economic status of birds in the Hyderabad State, 1933.... VIII. History of Indian ornithology and nature study: Introduction to part VIII: History of Indian ornithology and nature study: 12. The Moghul Emperors of India as naturalists and sportsmen, Part I, 1927.... IX. Bird surveys: Introduction to part IX: Bird surveys: 1. The Hyderabad State Ornithological Survey, 1933-4, Part I (Introduction). 2. The ornithology of Travancore and Cochin 1935-7, Part I (Introduction).... X. Kailas-Manasarowar Trek: Introduction to Part X: Mansarowar Trek: 1. Diary notes on Kailas-Manasarowar Trek, 1945. 2. An ornithological pilgrimage to lake Manasarowar and Mount Kailas. XI. Views, reviews, and interviews: Introduction to part XI: Views, reviews, and interviews: Views: 1. Ornithology for mountaineers, 1961. Book reviews: 1. Review of Bird watching as a hobby by W.D. Campbell. Interviews: 1. Whom God made lovely and man drives to extinction, 1975.
"This body of Salim Ali's work has never before been gathered together into a book. This two-volume collection of all these shorter writings, painstakingly ferreted out and put together by Salim Ali's former student Tara Gandhi, presents a fascinating array of topics as diverse as the Indian landscapes and birdlife that were his passion. Whether it is the colours of a bird's feathers or the ecology of the Himalaya mountains or an insightful conservation message, Salim Ali's evocative writing style makes reading these two volumes enormously pleasurable.
These volumes will seem indispensable to bird lovers, ornithologists, and all who enjoy fine writing."
