BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES AND THEIR EGGS.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st reprint,1st thus edn.[Originally and first published in 3 volumes (included Supplementary Series III) between 1920-26 (UK).The last full edn of Coward's book,edited by Arnold Boyd,was published in 1950.This revised+edited by Barnes edition first published 1969.This is the first reprint of that edition.] FINE+/FINE+.No owner inscrptn but price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp,clean,3/4 wrap-around colour photographic illustrated front+spine of dw/dj with white lettering to same,rear panel of dw/dj with publisher's advert for other titles in his Wayside and Woodland Series; with negligible shelf-wear,bumping, creasing to edges and corners – no nicks,tears or splits present.Top edges coloured,fore-edges lightly aged/toned as usual/normal but clean and without foxing/spotting; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound – no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners – virtually pristine,appears unread,apart from my own collation.Publisher's bright, crisp,clean,sharp-cornered,original,textured,plain dark brown cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt lettered upper board and spine/ backstrip,upper board with bright,crisp,blocked silhouette of a Snipe(?) and plain white sets of endpapers with very minimal and marginal, sporadic foxing/spotting.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st reprint,1st thus edn,viii-xvipp+2-359pp [paginated] includes Editor's Preface,an introduction,19 sectins of Orders - from Gaviiformes (Divers) through to Passeriformes (Perching Birds),interspersed with profuse contemporary b/w photographs and colour paintings reproductions by Archibald Thorburn and others,an index; plus [unpaginated] half-title,Thorburn colour reproduction of 4 birds (ducks) illustratrated frntis,title page,and single page contents list/table with blank reverse. Visually the exterior appearance is exceptional for a book of it's age, and nature,i.e a refernce book,and even internally,the book is also in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation. One of the great classics of ornithological literature. This edition of 'Birds of the British Isles and Their Eggs.' has been prepared by J. A. G. Barnes from th 3-volume work by T[homas] A[rthur] Coward (1867-1933).It was first published between 1920-26, and has been revised and brought up to date as the occasion demanded. Bird-watching has altered considerably in recent years with increased leisure time and greater mobility,enabling a new and enlarged following to the pastime,who,in turn,have added new information and knowledge, especially on distribution,migrations and behaviour of birds.The editor has incorporated as much of this new information as possible in this present edition,whila at the same time retaining the best writing and onservations of the original author.By deleting unneccessary detail and ignoring extremely rare species,he has managed to distil the information conveniently into a single volume. The best colour plates from the earlier editions,mainly by Archibald Thorburn,probably the greatest British bird artist of living memory,are retained,and they have been augmented by Robert Gillmor's illustrations of new species.The b/w illustrations of the earlier editions have been completely replaced by an entirely new set of noyable picture by well-known bird photographers. All bird-watchers,whether they are experts or beginners,will find this a volume that they will treasure both as a reference book and as a book to read and enjoy. Please contact seller - a heavy tome,just over 1.2Kg unpackaged,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US customers please be aware: US Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to USA can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.