Ornithologia sive Synopsis methodica sistens avium divisionem in ordines, sectiones, genera, species, ipsarumque varietates [...]. Ornithologie ou Méthode contenant la division des oiseaux en ordres, sections, genres, espèces & leurs variétés [...].

7 parts in 6 vol., 4to: xxiv-526-lxxiii-[3], [4]-516-lxvii-[1], [4]-1/332-[4]-333/734-xci-[1], [4]-576-liv-[1], [4]-544-lv-[1], [4]-543-[1]-146-lxv-[3]-xxii-[1] pp.; 261 pl. (pp. 183-184 of vol. V lacking; occ. foxing, some pp./pl. sl. browned, more pp. sl. browned in vol. IV, marg. wormholes in begin. and marg. stains in vol. I, marg. dampstaining and staining to some pl. of vol. IV, marg. tears at the end of vol. IV, marg. damp stains to pl. 1-2 of vol. V).

Contemp. marbled calf, gilt orn. spines with raised bands, marbled edges (skilful repairs to joints, heads & tails, front joint of vol. IV splitting and lack to head, 2 wormholes in lower joint of vol. IV). In mod. slipcases.

First edition of the most important French ornithological work of the 18th century by the French zoologist and natural philosopher Brisson (Fontenay-le-Comte 1723-Boissy 1806). Engr. ill. (complete) by François-Nicolas Martinet : 6 front., 1 headpiece, 1 initial and 261 folding plates (37, 46, 37, 46, 42, 47, 6) depicting numerous species of birds (pigeon, cock, stork, eagle, ostrich, turkey, pheasant, etc.). The birds are depicted in their natural habitat, with charming backgrounds. 3 folding tables in first vol. With supplement (7th part). Text in Latin and French in parallel col.
Ref. Nissen (IVB) 145. - Anker 69. - Ronsil 391. - Conlon 60:577. - BL London (2). - ABES (2). - Bn-Opale plus (microfilm).
Prov. R. Friedländer & Sohn, Buchhandlung Berlin (bookpl.).