Treasures of Indian Wild Life

Contents: Foreword/B.G. Deshmukh. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. The founders of the Bombay Natural History Society. 2. Selections from books, journals, and gazetteers. 3. Banian tree, the pride of Hindostan. 4. The Manpoora Tiger (about a Tiger Hunt in Rajpootanah). 5. Baug! Baug! Baug!. 6. Gond fable of Singbaba. 7. The oppression of man. 8. A forest fire. 9. Tigers of Salsette Island. 10. Goruckpore Terai, where Tigers were "Plentiful as Blackberries". 11. Wounded tigers, panthers, and bears. 12. The Indian wild boar as Grazier. 13. Khedda, elephant trapping. 14. Lion-hunt in Hurriana. 15. The past and present distribution of the lion in India. 16. An adventure with a Cobra De Capella. 17. The poisonous snakes of the Bombay Presidency. 18. A giant squid attacking a ship. 19. Wildlife around Cambay and Ahmedabad. 20. Sport and natural history around Deesa in Northern Gujarat. 21. Vanishing wildlife of Panchmahals. 22. Trees and plants of Rewa Kantha. 23. Khandesh, a stronghold of wild beasts. 24. Wildlife of Jalpaiguri District. 25. A visit to Narcondam. 26. Gleanings from miscellaneous notes in the JBNHS. Bibliography.

"This book brings together articles, drawings, and paintings from valuable old books, journals, and gazetteers in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society. The historical writings of wildlife and bird enthusiasts of the past paint a vivid picture of India\'s rich flora and fauna, in urgent need of protection today. Paintings, mostly of birds, and lithographs and sketches of animals and trees, scenery and monuments, many of which are recognized as classics of their type, are mainly the work of eminent European wildlife artists of the 19 and early 20 centuries. In a substantial section at the end of the book, gleanings from the miscellaneous notes section of early issues of the Journal of the BNHS provide lively snippets of information on species as wide-ranging as red ants, mongoose, monitor lizard, python, cobra, cheetah, and darter. With the descriptive text and stunning visuals, this volume, like its predecessor Salim Ali\'s India, will be a prized possession for anyone with an interest in India and its natural history." (jacket)