viii
For providing many hours of editorial support during the last stages of manu-
script preparation, I thank my friend Vincent Chea.
I thank the Australian National University and the Hans Rausing Endangered
Languages Project for providing the funds that made possible three visits to the fi eld
site. I am also grateful to the Ashoka Trust for Research into Ecology and the
Environment—particularly to Dr. Siddappa Setty and Dr. Nitin Rai—for allowing
me to use ATREE’s fi eld station and other facilities on multiple occasions. The
publication of this book was supported by a Faculty of Arts Publication Subsidy
Scheme from the University of Melbourne.
Finally, I acknowledge the love and support of my parents, U. Aung Nyein and
Daw Than Than Nu, whose numerous sacrifi ces have allowed me to follow my
interests down many winding paths.
Acknowledgements