PREFACE. 



The publication of this work is a fulfilment of the promise 

 held out in the August (1887) number of the Indian Annals 

 and Mas agine of Natural Science (3l. monthly periodical then 

 conducted by me for the Victoria Natural History Institute) 

 to issue a series of works on the Fauna and Flora of the 

 various Presidencies and Provinces in India. It is the second 

 of the series, and has, owing to the subject falling within the 

 limits of the Avifauna of India, and to the similarity of the 

 labour involved in completing the larger work, taken the place 

 of what was begun In the Annals, "Jis., " The Reptiles of 

 Western India, including SInd," which awaits further materials. 

 It was only at the repeated requests of a number of subscribers 

 to my " Avifauna of British India," as well as of sportsmen and 

 others, that the additional labour was undertaken, it having 

 been shown that volumes of 1,000 and more pages would 

 be an encumbrance to them In their Shikar travels, which 

 now, from the southernmost point of India to the "Abode 

 of Snow," by rail and other facilities, is a pleasure trip of 

 but a few days. At the same time the book furnishes all 

 the necessary information In regard to the " Close season" 

 for Game Birds, and by its study would prevent any infringe- 

 ment of the Game Laws ; and also afford information as to 

 what substitutes could be had during the breeding season 

 of certain species. In these respects It would be a manual 

 for all District Officers. It is riot Intended that It should 

 supersede or render unnecessary other valuable and costly 

 illustrated works on a larger scale, but on the contrary 



