Pet Birds of Bengal Vol. I (1923) documents avian species native to Bengal, offering detailed descriptions of their habitats, behaviors, and roles in local ecosystems. Published as part of the Calcutta Oriental Series, it reflects early 20th-century ornithological studies in colonial India, blending scientific observation with regional cultural practices related to birdkeeping. The book likely includes illustrations and taxonomic details, though specific content is inferred from references to its inclusion in academic catalogs.

Scientific Contribution: Provides a systematic record of Bengal’s avifauna, filling gaps in regional ornithology.Cultural Preservation: Captures birdkeeping traditions at risk of being overshadowed by modernization.Educational Resource: Served as a reference for zoologists, aviculturists, and colonial administrators.

Ornithological Documentation:Focuses on species prevalent in Bengal, detailing physical characteristics, feeding habits, and breeding patterns.May compare domesticated birds (e.g., parakeets, mynas) with wild counterparts, as suggested by its title and era-common themes.Cultural Practices:Explores traditional birdkeeping customs, including aviculture techniques and socio-religious symbolism (e.g., birds in festivals or folklore).Likely addresses the intersection of science and indigenous knowledge, a theme prevalent in contemporary works.Colonial Science and Indigenous Knowledge:Situated within a period of growing interest in India’s natural history by British and Indian scholars.May reflect tensions or synergies between Western taxonomy and local ecological understanding

Aviculture in Bengal: Highlights birds as pets and symbols of status, spirituality, or artistry (e.g., songbirds in music traditions).Ecological Awareness: Early documentation of human-bird coexistence, emphasizing habitat conservation.

Academic Influence: Likely inspired later studies in ethno-ornithology and conservation, though direct evidence is sparse.Colonial Engagement: Contributed to the institutionalization of natural history studies under entities like the Asiatic Society of Bengal.Cultural Revival: Preserved knowledge of regional practices, fostering pride in Bengal’s biodiversity.

Pet Birds of Bengal Vol. I stands as a bridge between colonial-era science and India’s ecological heritage. While its technical descriptions advanced ornithology, its cultural insights remain vital for understanding human-animal relationships in early 20th-century Bengal. The book’s legacy lies in its dual role as a scientific catalog and a cultural artifact, offering a lens into both biodiversity and the societal values of its time.Note: Due to limited direct references to the book’s content, this analysis incorporates contextual insights from related works on colonial science, aviculture, and cultural practices. For a detailed summary, accessing the original text via archival repositories (e.g., specialized libraries or the Calcutta Oriental Series) is recommended.: Hybrid bird references in The Avicultural Magazine (1925).: Catalog listing (Auktion 118, 2017).: Socio-environmental dynamics in cattle studies (Price, 2019).: Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (1924).