Pet Birds of Bengal/Foreword

One of the crying needs of aviculture has been a pioneer, up-to-date and comprehensive volume on the wonderful bird-fauna of India, written not merely for the field naturalist but also for the lover of pets, with a sympathetic insight into the difficulties of a keeper of birds. The present readable and reliable work supplies this want.

Mr. Law needs no introduction to the Zoological public. Himself a fine naturalist and a keen observer, he has the happy faculty of presenting to his readers a vivid picture of the events that he records from time to time in the various natural history journals. As the editor of the Natureland, it has been my privilege to be in special touch with his ornithological studies. All the birds dealt with in this volume have lived in ​Mr. Law's aviaries, and he has set forth nothing that has not come under his personal observation.

By a happy inspiration, the birds are designated by their Indian names, their English titles being given a subsidiary place, thus rendering the work of local as well as of general interest. Those of us who are interested in Shamas and Dhyals, in Bulbuls and Drongos, would, I am sure, heartily welcome this work.