The first edition of this work was exhausted a year before I became aware of the fact, and, as the demand appears to be brisk, I have not caused further delay by revising the book very thoroughly.
I am under considerable obligation to Mr. G. O. Allen, I.C.S., for his notes and suggestions. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that the list of additions and corrections has been almost entirely compiled by him.
It is a source of great satisfaction to me to learn that this little book, notwithstanding its shortcomings, has enabled many people to learn the names of the common birds that live around them.
PAGE Preface 5 Preface to Second Edition 14
PART I A. Hindustani Names of Common Birds 19 B. Classification According to Structural Peculiarities 23 I. Bills 23 II. Crest 24 III. Legs 25 IV. Tail 26 V. Sexual Dimorphism 29 C. Classification According to Colour 31 I. Black 32 II. Blue 42 III. Brown 44 IV. Coffee or Fawn Colour 52 V. Green 53 VI. Grey 54 VII. Pink 56 VIII. Red 57 IX. White 61 X. Yellow 65 XI. Birds of Many Colours 68 D. Classification According to Habits 69 I. Birds having remarkable cries 70 II. Birds whose nests are likely to be found in any garden in the plains 75 III. Birds that habitually sit on exposed perches 78 IV. Birds that go about in flocks 79 V. Flight 81 VI. Feeding habits 82 VII. Birds which habitually carry the tail almost vertically 85
PART II Descriptive List of the Common Birds of the Plains of India 89 Index to Descriptive List 229
_A. Hindustani Names of Common Birds_ _B. Classification according to Structural Peculiarities_ _C. Classification according to Colour_ _D. Classification according to Habits_
In all cases the number in brackets which follows the name of a bird is the number of the bird in the Descriptive List that composes Part II of this book.
_Ababil_, Swallow, Martin, Swift (80-90, 124 and 125). _Ablak Maina_, Pied Myna (54). _Bagla_, Paddy bird (224). _Bara Kowa_, Corby (1). _Batér_, Quail (171). _Baya_, Baya or Weaver bird (70). _Baz_, Eagle (146); also Goshawk. _Bhairi_, Peregrine Falcon. _Bhimraj_, Racket-tailed Drongo (27). _Brahmini Chil_, Brahminy Kite (151). _Buchanga_, King Crow (25). _Bulbul_, Bulbul (15-21). _Chaha_, Snipe. _Chakwá_, Brahminy Duck (229). _Chandul_, Lark (97-103). _Chil_, Kite (152). _Chota Chaha_, Jack Snipe. _Darya Maina_, Bank Myna (53). _Dayal_, Magpie Robin (68). _Desi Shama_, Brown Rock-chat (64). _Dhobin_, Wagtail (91-94). _Fakhta_, Dove (166-169). _Gheti_, Goose (Mirzapur district). _Gidh_, Vulture (141-145). _Golabi Maina_, Rose-coloured Starling (48). _Gonriya_, Sparrow (82). _Gugu_, Dove (166-169). _Hans_, Barred-headed Goose (228). _Harre Lal_, Green Munia (78). _Harrial_, Green Pigeon (163 and 164). _Janghil_, Painted Stork. _Jangli tota_, Sirkeer Cuckoo. _Kabutar_ Pigeon (165). _Kala Pidha_, Pied Bush Chat (61 and 62). _Kala Titar_, Black Partridge (172). _Karkarra_, Demoiselle Crane (179). _Koil_, Koel (130). _Kotwal_, King Crow (25). _Kowa_, House Crow (3). _Kulang_, Common Crane (177). _Laggar_, Lugger Falcon (160). _Lahtora_, Shrike (34-37). _Lal_, _Lal Munia_, Amadavat (77). _Machlimar_, Osprey (140). _Maina_, Myna (52). _Mohok_, Crow-pheasant (131). _Mor_, Peafowl (170). _Nilkant_, Roller (115). _Pahari Maina_, Grackle (46 and 47). _Pandubi_, Dabchick. _Pan-kowa_, Cormorant (209-211). _Perki_, Dove. _Phutki_, Tailor-bird, warbler (28-33). _Pilak_, Oriole (44 and 45). _Popiya_, Brain-fever bird (128). _Raj Hans_, Grey-lag Goose (227). _Safed Gidh_, Scavenger Vulture (144 and 145). _Saras_, Sarus Crane (178). _Sath Bhai_, Seven Sisters (7-9). _Sawan_, Bar-headed Goose (Unao district). _Shah Bulbul_, Paradise Flycatcher (57). _Shikra_, Shikra (158). _Silahi_, Whistling Teal. _Siphahi Bulbul_, Red-whiskered Bulbul (20 and 21). _Subak_, Night Heron (Baraich district). _Suga_, Paroquet. _Surkia Bagla_, Cattle Egret (223). _Surkhabi_, Brahminy Duck. _Thampal_, King Crow (25). _Tilyer_, Rose-coloured Starling (48). _Tisa_, White-eyed Buzzard (147). _Titar_, Grey Partridge (173). _Titiri_, Plover, Lapwing (183 and 184). _Tota_, Paroquet (132-134). _Turamti_, Red-headed Merlin (161). _Tuti_, Rose Finch (80). _Ullu_, Owl (135-139). _Wak_, Night Heron (225). _Wokab_, Tawny Eagle (146).