Histoire naturelle générale des pigeons et des gallinacés [...] accompagné de planches anatomiques.

3 vol., 8vo: 499-[1], 477-[1], 757-[1] pp.; 12 pl. (dampstaining in the margins, some pp. soiled, some blank margins repaired in the 1st vol.).

Contemp. quarter dark leather signed L.J.C. Boucher, marbled paper on covers, spines with raised bands (head of one vol. sl. def.).

First edition of this scarce work on doves and galliformes by the Dutch aristocrat, zoologist and museum director Temminck (1778-1858). Ill. with 12 lithographed plates. "Vol. I contains an account of the pigeons, being a reprint of the text which Temminck had prepared for his illustrated folio that was stolen by Madame Knip. Vols. II and III relate to gallinaceous birds, which Temminck intended for his proposed folio on the pigeons, but which was not published in that form owing to the loss of the text of the latter, an account of which will be found on pp. 640-4 of vol. III." (Wood).
Ref. Nissen (IVB) 931. - Wood p. 593. - Anker 501.