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WILLUGHBY, Francis. The Ornithology of Francis Wi

WILLUGHBY, Francis. The Ornithology of Francis Willughby... In three books. Wherein all the birds hitherto known ... are accurately described. Translated into English, with many additions. To which are added three considerable discourses, I. Of the art of fowling ... II. Of the ordering of singing birds. III. Of falconry.

London: John Martyn, 1678. 3 parts in one volume, folio (343 x 223 mm). Title printed in red & black. 80 engraved plates, 2 tables. Bound to style in 18th century half diced russia, marble paper boards, spine in seven compartments, raised bands gilt, red morocco label. first edition in english of 'one of the most important treatises on ornithology of all time, being the first systematic classification of the birds of the world' (Wood). John Ray and his pupil and friend Francis Willughby toured Europe gathering material for their planned complete classification of the vegetable and animal kingdoms. After Willughby's early death in 1672 Ray took over his notes, and having edited the incomplete manuscript and added his own observations published his friend's work in 1676 as Francisci Willughbeii ornithologiae libri tres; totum opus recognovit, digressit, supplevit Joannes Raius. The present work, a translation by Ray, was published two years later and includes three more plates than the Latin edition, and an expanded text including three additional sections by Ray on fowling, falconry and song-birds. Anker 532; BM (NH) V, p.2331; Keynes Ray 39; Nissen IVB 991; Wood p.629; Wing W-2879; Zimmer 677