A Natural History of the Nests and Eggs of British Birds

London: Groombridge and Sons, 1859-63. Leather. Good. 10" by 6". Not Stated. A beautifully illustrated set of Morris' expansive study on the nests and eggs of birds native to Britain, colourfully illustrated. Complete in three volumes. Volume I dated 1859, Volume II 1861, Volume III 1863.An immense history and study of British ornithology and their nests and eggs, a detailed work that has become a standard reference on the subject.Exploring many different species of birds native to British, this work provides an expansive look at the natural history of the country. Volume I illustrated with seventy-eight chromolithograph plates.Volume II illustrated with seventy-six chromolithograph plates.Volume III illustrated with seventy-one chromolithograph plates.Collated, complete.By Francis Orpen Morris, a parson-naturalist and pioneer for the movement to protect birds. In a half calf binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, generally smart. Light bumping to the extremities. Spines are a little faded. Some rubbing to the boards and spines. Damp stain to the front board of Volume I, tail of the rear board of Volume II. A few light marks to the boards. Small amount of loss to the extremity of the rear board of Volume I. Hinges of Volume I are starting but firm, front hinge of Volume III is starting but firm. Front hinge of Volume II is strained, rear hinge is tender. Prior owner's ink inscription to the recto of the front endpapers. Internally, Volume III is firmly bound, Volumes I and II are generally firmly bound. Pages are bright with some scattered spots. Pages 41 to 46 of Volume I, with plates, are detaching, and pages 11 to 14 of Volume II. Good