[ORNITHOLOGY] MONTAGU, George

Ornithological Dictionary; or, Alphabetical Synopsis of British Birds [vols. I & II, plus Supplement]

London: For J. White, 1802, 1813. First Edition. Three volumes, bound in two. Octavo (20.5cm). Nineteenth century half-calf over marbled boards. Volume I: xlii; text unpaginated; hand-colored frontispiece (Cirl Bunting). Volume II: unpaginated. Volume III (Supplement): vi; text unpaginated; 24 inserted leaves of engraved plates (uncolored); errata. Bound without half-titles; two plates in Supplement bound out of order; occasional faint foxing and pencil marginalia to all volumes. A clean, attractive set, collated complete, contents fresh and bright. An early (19th c.?) owner has tipped in a manuscript leaf at close of v.III, hand-titled: "In Montagu - added since Pennant (i.e., Thos. Pennant, "British Zoology," 1766) but not found by Montagu himself;" verso headed, "Immature birds or varieties held as species by Montagu."

A key work of ornithological literature; Montagu, often cited as the "father of British ornithology," is credited with describing several new species of British birds, as well as proving that others, once held as species, were in fact examples of the same species in seasonal or immature plumage.

Price: $500.00

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