Francis Willughby & John Ray - The ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the county of Warwick Esq; - 1678

The ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the county of Warwick Esq; fellow of the Royal Society. In three books.

In which all birds that are known so far are precisely described in a method that fits their nature.

I. ‘Van de kunst van het gevogelte’: with a description of multiple nets on two large copper illustrations. II. Van het bestellen van zingende vogels. III. Van valkerij. By John Ray, fellow of the Royal Society.

The bottom of the front cover is missing its top layer of leather. The spine has been re-bound.

Although the entire illustration part is missing, the text is so rare that it justifies the auction.

This reference work about ornithology published in 1676 can be considered as the first serious book about birds.