In three books. Wherein all the birds hitherto known, being reduced into a method suitable to their natures, are accurately described. The descriptions illustrated by most elegant figures, nearly resembling the live birds, engrave in LXXVII copper plates. Translated into English and enlarged with many additions throughout the whole work. To which are added, three considerable discourses, I. Of the art of fowling: with a description of several nets in two large copper plates. II. Of the ordering of singing birds. III. Of falconry. By John Ray, fellow of the Royal Society.1678. First edition in English. A.C. for John Martyn printer to the Royal Society at the Bell in St. Pauls Church-Yard,. [12], 53, [3], 55-271, [3], 273-441, [7] pp., Folio, 80 engraved plates comprising 78 plates of birds showing multiple subjects numbered 1-LXXVIII, and 2 un-numbered plates of netting. Armorial bookplate of George Wilbraham 1779 ? 1852 and, his Library plate of Delamere House, Northwich, Cheshire below to the front paste down, Wilbraham a Whig MP and Fellow of The Royal Society. a recent note to lower edge of the front-end paper noting the book was rebound in 1983 by Alan Farrant Cambridge. The binding has been restored to a high standard using the original full calf boards and spine relayed. The contents and plates clean, from page 56 to page 400 there are numerous marginal notes in ink in a near contemporary legible hand on observations of birds, habitat, bird folklore etc, there is no indication to the writer of the notes but would assume it was George Wilbraham. . A Summary Of Falconry collected out of several authors, pp 397 ? 437. The birds used in falconry are found in plates I- IX. The chapter III Of the Several kinds of Eagles there are marginal notes, one relating to incidents of a child being found in an Eagles nest. There is also a loose coloured engraving of a Tame Bustard in two "attitudes" paper size approx. 33cm x 25cm image size 13.5cmx 13.5cm a note below says it's an engraving, but I would say it was a watercolour. With a further note SIGNEND by Col Hamond "I think this the best". A very good clean copy of a celebrated early book on ornithology, with the benefit of the marginal notes. Swift 479.01, Harting 35, Mullens Swann 488