Ornithologie ou Methode contenant la division des Oiseaux en Ordres, sections, genres, especes & leur varietes. BRISSON, Mathurin Jacques (1723-1806).

6 volumes. 24.5cm. 4to. xxiv, 526, lxxiii, [3]; [4], 516, lxvii, [1]; [4], 332, [4], 333-734, xci, [1]; [4], 576, liv, [2]; [4], 544, lv, [1]; [4], 543, [1], lxv, [3]; 146, xxii, [2] pp. With 6 engraved titles included in the collation, engraved armorial headpiece vignette to dedication in volume I, and woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials, 261 plates engraved by Martinet, MANY OF WHICH ARE PARTLY HAND COLORED; the title vignettes are each smudged(!). Original mottled calf, raised bands, gilt-stamped spine compartments; extremities shelf-worn, joints strong, vol. III torn at head of spine. Bookplate of previous owner, the motto "Gratitude" and the initials of the owner [?] A.B. (coat-of-arms showing a lion holding a stalk of wheat, seemingly 19th century); inscribed in pencil: "Emile ---- le paige / S 3 . . . 1604 a lan 1890". Very good. PARTLY HAND-COLORED COPY â " WITH 261 ENGRAVED PLATES. First edition, with Latin and French texts, of this lavishly illustrated work, replete with scientific details on each species of bird, the entire work is thus one of the most important and detailed ornithological works published in France in the 18th century. / "The white cockatoo (Cacatua alba), which was first described by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760 using the name" (Cacatua/Kakatoes). "Although Brisson used this name, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) did not recognize him as the authority at that time" â " Wikip. / "Written by one of the greatest connoisseurs of birds of the time, the work deals with 1336 species. Brisson knew by sight more than 800 of the species he described. The plates, which are folded, were drawn and engraved by Martinet. Both artistically and as accurate detail studies they are better than those of most of his predecessors." â " Anker 69. "One of the early systematic treatises on birds by a contemporary of Linne" â " Zimmer. REFERENCES: Anker 69; Nissen IVB 145; Ronsil p. 391; Zimmer I, 95. EXTRA POSTAGE WILL APPLY.