2 volumes. viii, 351; [iv], 364 pp. 4 engraved plates, including 1 hand-colored. Extra-illustrated with 28 hand-colored lithographs of birds and 3 engraved portraits. (8vo) 22x14 cm (8½x5½") full polished calf, gilt rule borders, spines gilt, morocco labels, top edges gilt. Rebacked with original spine leather laid down "New Edition."

Gilbert White was born in Selborne and educated at Oxford. After having been ordained a priest, he served as curate at several locations before returning to his native parrish. White was a skillful observer and assiduous recorder; he was in close contact with other important naturalists of his day, such as Pennant, Barrington and Ray, with all of whom he exchanged correspondence. "White's Selborne is the only work on natural history which has attained the rank of an English classic." (DNB)