Legge, Vincent

One volume bound in 3, 4to (12 5/8 x 9 3/4 in.; 315 x 245 mm). Hand-colored engraved map, dedication leaf, plain anatomical plate, 34 hand-colored lithographed plates after J.G. Keulemans, 12 in-text woodcut illustrations; very minor foxing primarily to edges of margins. Later three-quarter red calf over red cloth, spines with raised bands in six compartments, gilt-lettered in second, third, and fifth, top edges gilt; small tear to cloth of upper cover of vol. 3.

Milton S. Ray (bookplate to front pastedown of vol. 1)

Anker 284; Fine Bird Books, p.89; Nissen IVB 539; Wood, p.439; Zimmer, p.382

FIRST EDITION. "The work gives a comprehensive account of the birds of the area and is intended as a text-book for the local student and collector in Ceylon. Our knowledge of the island is considerably increased by this work, which deals with altogether 371 species... The fine plates... were executed from drawings by J.G. Keulemans" (Anker).