Ootheca Wolleyana: An Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Bird's Eggs. Vol. I-II

Description:

Illustrated catalogue of the oological collection of John Wolley (1824-1859), British ornithologist and naturalist, who amassed a vast collection of birds' eggs, and is perhaps best known for his studies on the Dodo and the Great Auk. He travelled widely observing the breeding and nesting habits of birds, particularly in the Highlands of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland, the Faroe Islands and Lapland. This catalogue, published in 4 parts, was published after the author's death by his friend, zoologist and ornithologist, Alfred Newton, to whom Wolley's egg collection was bequeathed. Newton subsequently donated the collection to the British Museum. Includes 21 chromolithographic plates (I-XXI) of eggs by J.T. Balcomb and H. Grönvold, and 16 futher lithographic plates (A-P) of birds, landscapes, and nests (4 tinted, 2 chromolithographic, and 10 uncoloured), including several of birds and nests by J. Wolf. Part I was published by John van Voorst, Parts II-IV by R.H. Porter.

Nissen IVB 1014; Mullens & Swann pp. 446/661.

Condition

4 parts bound in 2 vols, roy. 8vo, cont. cloth, gilt title to spines, teg. Some variable foxing to plates in Vol. I, occasionally heavy. Vg. Armorial bookplate of Henry Wemyss Feilden (1838-1921), British naturalist and Arctic explorer. He served as naturalist to the British Arctic Expedition (1875-1876), led by Sir George Nares on the HMS Alert, and brought back over 2000 samples of arctic flora, fauna, and geological material.