Birds of the Great Andamanese: Names, Classification and Culture - Tapa blanda

The first work on Great Andamanese ethno-ornithology, it looks into semantics, linguistics, cultural history, and ornithology. Starting with a brief history of ornithology, the book moves on to describe the birdlife of Andamans, indigenous place names of Andamanese Islands, the language and people, among other things. The main part of the book is taken up by species description complemented by photographs of over 100 Andaman bird species. From the methodology of data collection and ethnobiology and nomenclature of birds to how living things are perceived by traditional societies, the nomenclature of avian taxa, and ethno-ornithological classification by Great Andamanese―the range of issues addressed is breathtaking. Interesting details and information related to bird calls and their significance, sound-size symbolism, birds in omen and augury, and bird colour and symbolism add a special flavour to the reading. Importantly, the book also dwells on the threats to wild flora and fauna of Andaman Islands and provides recommendations for conservation.

The detailed indices―of Great Andamanese names of taxa; of orders, families, and Latin names; and of common English and scientific names of taxa―would be of immense help to the serious scholar and researcher of birds of the Great Andamanese.

Satish Pande is Practising Interventional Radiologist and Sonologist, KEM Hospital, Pune. Ornithologist, bird photographer, illustrator, conservationist, and doctor, he is the Founder President of Ela Foundation, an NGO devoted to 'Nature Conservation through Education'. Anvita Abbi is Professor of Linguistics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Currently she isLeverhulme Professor at the University of London,