Contents: Foreword. 1. Introduction: i. How to use this book. ii. Descriptive parts of a bird. iii. Geographical setting. iv. Main habitats. v. Important bird species. vi. Migration. vii. Birdwatching areas. 2. National organisations. 3. International organisations. 4. References. 5. Acknowledgements. 6. Glossary. 7. Selected bibliography. 8. Family summaries. 9. Colour plates and species accounts. 10. Appendix. Tables. Index.

"This book is a comprehensive field guide to the birds of Central and Southern India like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep, including Pondicherry and the Maldives. It covers over 600 species including all breeding species, regular visitors and vagrants. It has 87 colour plates illustrating every distinct plumage of every species with concise text on facing pages."