The Fall of a Sparrow

The late Salim Ali was one of the great ornithologists of the world. With wit and elegance, he observes his own life and the changing world in which he lived in this autobiography.

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The late Sálim Ali was one of the greatest ornithologists in the world. This is his autobiography. With customary wit and elegance, he observes his own life and the changing world in which he lived. His close associations with many eminent people - including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Sidney Dillon Ripley, and E.P. Gee - feature prominently. This is an immensely readable book - for the birdwatcher, the shikari, the ecologist, the nature enthusiast, and the general reader.

'The first name that comes to mind when thinking of Indian ornithology is that of Dr Salim Ali...He has found international acclaim from his bird books which are known for their ample coverage of life history and ecology...one could say that he is the strongest single influence on conservation within the subcontinent.' Journal of Natural History

'This autobiography records the life not only of a great ornithologist but of a humane and humorous man, whose philosophy is that of George Santayana: "There is no cure for birth or death save to enjoy the interval." This he has certainly done... and he has helped many others to enjoy it too.' Times Literary Supplement