A History of British Birds.

Van Voorst -, 18711885. 4th. Rev. Ed.. Four volume set with 564 fine wood-engravings. Half and full-titles present, errata and 16-page Van Voorst Catalogue (dated May 1884). 8vo. Hardbacks. Occasionally cords a little stretched, o/w. contents very clean and nr. fine. Numerous period notes and insertions. Original cloth binding showing some wear and repair, in. vg. condition overall. A fascinating set of the last and best edition, revised and enlarged by Alfred Newton and Howard Saunders This set was clearly owned by a knowledgeable, well-connected and travelled Victorian ornithologist. There are numerous highly considered observations and comments in pencil to the text. Places mentioned include the New Forest, Northumberland, the Camargue and Sardinia with dates ranging from 1852 to 1899. He knew his contemporaries and their collections, e.g. that of Edward Heale Rodd, since reference is made to it. He was knowledgeable about period works, specifically referencing John Gould's 'Birds of Great Britain' and Seebohm's 'A History of British Birds'. Period articles have been inserted: 'Yellowshanks' by [Rev.] F.O. Morris, 'Eggs of the Cuckoo and the foster parents' from The Field (1896), part of an article detailing the legality of taking eggs by County (namely Berwickshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumberland and Devonshire) and two further articles 'The Mountain Partridge' and 'The Little Bustard'.