Histoire naturelle des plus beaux oiseaux chanteurs de la zone torride.

Folio: [4]-112 [i.e. 114 because of 51*-52*] pp.; 72 pls incl. 28* and 28** (foxing on tissue-guards and 1st pp.).

Contemp. hard-grain red morocco, large gilt dentelle on boards, gilt-tooled and green mosaics (containing the monogram "S.A.") on the richly gilt-tooled spine with raised bands, sides and inner gilt-tooled dentelle, a.e.g. (sm. lack of leather on hinges, slightly rubbed esp. on lower board). Impressive binding.

First edition with 12 issues containing descriptions and figures of a number of tropical finches, weaver-birds, etc. The text - dealing with individual forms - often gives information about the way in which the birds should be treated in captivity. Complete with 72 hand-coloured plates printed by Bouquet after Prêtre's drawings. Vieillot (1748-1831) lived in Saint-Domingue and in the United States after the French Revolution. He came back in France around 1800 where he published ornithological works (some with Audebert's collaboration). He is the first one to have studied the modification of birds feathering and he discovered unknown birds. Several species are named after him. Ref. Nissen, IVB, 956. - Anker 514. Prov. [Georges Petit].