A History of British Birds, with coloured Illustrations of their Eggs. Vol. I-III + Plates

Description:

First edition. Fine colour plates of eggs lithographed by Hanhart. Henry Seebohm (1832-1895) was a British steel manufacturer, amateur ornithologist and oologist. He travelled widely in Europe in search of rare birds and eggs. He wrote a number of books, and numerous scientific papers. According to Mullens & Swann (1917), '... his reputation as an ornithologist rests largely upon his History of British Birds, a thoroughly original work, being compiled for the most part from the author's personal observations in the field instead of from the writings of others ...'

Mullens & Swann p. 517; Nissen IVB 851.

Condition

4 vols, roy. 8vo, orig. brown half morocco by R.H. Porter, raised bands and gilt titles to spines, marbled boards, top edges gilt. Minor rubbing/scuffing; endpapers browned. Very good clean set.