Birds in Bangladesh

This work represents the results of a two year British Council project aimed at producing an up to date annotated checklist of the birds of Bangladesh for use by field ornithologists, conservationists, zoology students and development workers concerned with environmental issues. Although it draws on earlier authoritative sources, it only includes those species known with certainty (skins and reliable sight records) to have occurred within the national boundaries of present-day Bangladesh. Thus a number of previously claimed records, which actually refer to historical Bengal, have been omitted. With the addition of about 25 species in the last five years, the list comprises nearly 600 species recorded up to the end of 1989; a remarkable total for a small, overpopulated country. The species are presented in a standard format for ease of reference and amendment, so that it can be used as a working document. It includes the Scientific and English names, current status, the locations and habitats of each species. Occurrence in the Dhaka area, months of occurrence and proved breeding, and recent observers as well as notes of interest are also included. The main list is preceded by introductory chapters on the status of birds and conservation, the main habitat and climatic types, ecology and migration, together with some advice on birdwatching in Bangladesh, a comprehensive bibliography and maps. The order and names follow the proposed new Oriental Bird list although old names and the reference numbers to Synopsis of the Birds of India and Pakistan (second edition, Ripley 1982) are given for ease of reference. Covering as it does an area which bridges the avifaunas of South and Southeast Asia and lies across several long distance and altitudinal migration routes, this is an important contribution to the ornithology of Asia and of interest far beyond the boundaries of Bangladesh. It comes at a time when concern over forest, drainage and water control projects and over-


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