[jimmyjames]

Is the Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp one the best?

Thanks

[Darrell Clegg]

It is as a reference work, but not as a field guide. It is also very difficult to get hold of these days. Amazon have one but you'll have to pay £194 for it.

Darrell

[jimmyjames]

?I don't think so???

[jedku]

Originally Posted by Darrell Clegg

It is as a reference work, but not as a field guide. It is also very difficult to get hold of these days. Amazon have one but you'll have to pay £194 for it.

Darrell

I think there are several books by these authors, including a mammoth reference work Darrel may be referring to.
The smaller field guides are sold in many configurations. In the States, we have them from Princeton University Press and there are editions which cover the entire subcontinent including Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Or, you can find editions to subregions which cover fewer species but offer larger illustrations and more detailed species accounts and localized range maps.
Here is a search result on Amazon UK which shows some of the many editions: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...=Tim%20Inskipp

Which edition to use depends on your needs and interests. Also beware there may be previous editions still for sale amongst revised ones. This happened with the SASOL guide to southern Africa. Try to be sure you are getting the latest revision.

[jimmyjames]

Hello, thanks for replying. #i think #i will opt for the "Birds of South India" or "Birds of the Indian Subcontinent" both by G, I & I, I believe.

I need it to be as lightweight as possible and these seem my best option.

I wonder if they are available in Cochin!

[James Eaton]

Also look at Kazmierczak & Perlo field guide, both this and the Inskips field guides are excellent. Also now essential to get hold of The Ripley Guide by Rasmussen & Anderson due to the rather 'advanced' taxonomic decisions the authors have taken in the book, though isn't ideal as a field guide, more as a reference (weighs 3kg).

[jimmyjames]

Originally Posted by James Eaton

Also look at Kazmierczak & Perlo field guide, both this and the Inskips field guides are excellent. Also now essential to get hold of The Ripley Guide by Rasmussen & Anderson due to the rather 'advanced' taxonomic decisions the authors have taken in the book, though isn't ideal as a field guide, more as a reference (weighs 3kg).

Thanks for the suggestion. The 3 KG book will be peeked at whenever possible!

Does anyone know a good "birding" bookshop in London? Preferably in the SW area...

[Mark Bruce]

Another Indian guide thread.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=67765

[jimmyjames]

Another question from I!

Does the "Birds of South India" field guide also cover the Andamans?

It'd be handy if any bookshops near me stocked any books such as these so I could look myself eh?

tsk