A History of British Birds

Issued in two volumes in 1797 and 1804, this natural-history work describes the land birds and then the water birds of Britain, species by species. Each entry typically gives common and learned names, a wood-engraved figure, and a short account of plumage, voice, food, nest, and range. Ralph Beilby drafted much of the first volume's text; Bewick wrote the second and cut the blocks. Small tail-piece scenes of rural life sit between the birds. The book is a systematic field survey meant to be read beside the engravings, not a picture album without text and not a treatise on hunting.

Quarter bound in blue leather with raised spine bands and gilt titles, marbled paper boards. Blue endpapers. Page tops stained blue. Blue slipcase with front illustration and gilt title.