David, A. und E. Oustalet, Les oiseaux de la Chine. Text- and plate vol., together 2 vols. With 124 colored lithogr. plates. Paris, G. Masson 1877. Orig. cloth with black- and gilt tooling as well as top edge gilt. 8vo. 2 ll., VII, 573 pp.; VI pp., 1 l.

Nissen 221. - Anker 113. - Zimmer p. 159. - Wood p. 311. - Fine Bird Books p. 90. - First edition. - Comprehensive and renowned work on China's ornithology. "Probably the most important systematic monograph yet written on the birds of China " (Wood). - "In this important review of the birds of the Chinese Empire 807 species are dealt with, 249 of which are supposed to be peculiar to the Chinese fauna .. The plates .. are finely drawn and colored" (Anker). - Most of the fine plates printed by Becquet in Paris show different types of singing birds, owls and birds of prey, pheasants as well as egrets and ducks. - Plates (especially in margin) and text foxed, text vol. with small isolated waterstains as well as ink trace in side edge. Binding rubbed, spine of plate vol. using the old material as well as endpapers skillfully renewed, 1 rear board with waterstain. Ex-libris.

First edition. Probably the most comprehensive book about the birds of China of its time. With 124 col. lithogr. plates. Orig. cloth with gilt and black decoration, top edge gilt. - Plates (mostly in the white margins) and text foxing, text volume partly waterstained, fore-edge with traces of ink. Binding rubbed, spine of plate volume renewed using old material, endpapers renewed, 1 back cover with waterstain. Ex libris.