Book excerpt: A field guide to all the bird species found in India, Pakistian, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. This comprehensive and definitive guide is the successor to the bestselling Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by the same authors. 1375 species are illustrated and described, including all residents, migrants and vagrants. The plates, text and maps have been extensively revised. The 226 colour plates face concise descriptions and maps for quick at-a-glance reference. Many of the plates, depicting every species and many distinct plumages and races, have been repainted for this edition and a number of new species added. This guide also provides tables, summarising identification features of particularly difficult groups such as nightjars, warblers and rosefinches. This is the ideal companion for anyone birding in the region.