Language: English
From the introduction:
"This pocket guide is designed with an intention to generate interest among children, local birdwatchers, scientists and serious ornithologists and sensitize them to the birdlife of Madhya Pradesh, the very heartland of India. Even if plants are not included in this book, we encourage birdwatchers to look at plants and other faunal elements while watching birds. The book should be used as a reference guide and we hope that birdwatchers will explore various areas in the region and generate regional lists of birds and other fauna. Authors shall appreciate if readers convey to them new species reported by photographic evidence. The family name of each species is given adjacent to that species on every page. Common name of each species is followed by local Hindi name and scientific narne. Size from tip of bill to tip of tail is given in cm. Lengthy text is intentionally avoided to make this pocket-guide more user-friendly and only important details are given under headings like sexual dimorphism if any, residential status as applicable to India, commonest habit of the bird (aerial, arboreal, terrestrial or aquatic), commonly preferred habitat and most preferred food. The type of nest of that species is mentioned. An identification marker that may be useful in the field is briefly given at the end of the text section to supplement the illustrations. Division wise distribution of each species in Madhya Pradesh is given (refer map on page xviii). Every species is photographically illustrated with the exception of few species where sketches are given. The photographers are duly credited at the lower outer margins of respective photographs. The endemic and endangered birds found in the region are separately listed and the index for Family, English, Hindi and Scientific names are given at the
end along with a brief list of references and suggested reading. Endangered and Endemic birds listed here are as per sources mentioned in references section. The common English names are as per Manakadan and Pittie (2001) unless the species is recently revised, split or updated. All scientific names, new families, updated species, split species and taxonomic sequence are adopted and updated per Rasmussen and Anderton (2005), taking cognizance of the recent trends in oriental ornithology. Sizes of birds and descriptions are as per several sources cited in references section, and from personal field observations of the authors. A list of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Ramsar Sites and Biosphere is appended. A sketch map of Madhya Pradesh is given as an easy reference and photographs of dominant habitats and bird topography are also given."