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This page lists selected books about British birds published between 1700 and 1799. The earliest publications are at the bottom of the page.

- h/books & guides: 2000-2013
- h/books & guides: 1950-1999
- h/books & guides: 1900-1949
- h/books & guides: 1850-1899
- h/books & guides: 1800-1849
- h/books & guides: 1700-1799

The Birds Of Great Britain

Volume V

W. Lewin

1797

Printed for J. Johnson in St Paul's Church-Yard

Published in eight volumes between 1795 and 1801.

The Birds Of Great Britain

Volume IV

W. Lewin

1797

Printed for J. Johnson in St Paul's Church-Yard

Published in eight volumes between 1795 and 1801.

The Birds Of Great Britain

Volume III

W. Lewin

1796

Printed for J. Johnson in St Paul's Church-Yard

Published in eight volumes between 1795 and 1801.

The Birds Of Great Britain

Volume II

W. Lewin

1796

Printed for J. Johnson in St Paul's Church-Yard

Published in eight volumes between 1795 and 1801.

The Birds Of Great Britain

Volume I

W. Lewin

1795

Printed for J. Johnson in St Paul's Church-Yard

Published in eight volumes between 1795 and 1801. This was one of the earliest publications to attempt to include a colour plate of each british bird.

Preface:

"The following work is the produce of upwards of twenty years laborious application. The figures of the Birds were painted from the most perfect specimens of the subjects, and engraved by the Author: the natural history was chiefly composed from original observations, by himself and his sons; and where their knowledge was defective, the descriptions were taken from the best writers on the subject. Figures of the eggs have been added which the Author was enabled to do by means of the collection formerly in the possession of that distinguished patroness of natural history, the late Duchess Dowager of Portland. He has also procured many rare specimens not in that collection. The eggs are figured in the natural size; as are likewise the birds, when the size of the plates would admit of it: and where he has been under the necessity of giving reduced figures, he trusts the exact descriptions of the size, weight, and other particulars of each bird will render this unavoidable variation of less consequence. The adult male birds have in general been figured, as being most perfect in plumage: where any striking difference subsists in the female, a figure of that has also been given. The whole work will make eight volumes, printed on Whatman's finest royal quarto wove paper, each consisting of above forty plates of birds or their eggs, richly coloured, and systematically arranged, with characteristic descriptions of each species. The Author cheerfully submits the labours of so many years to the judgment of a candid and discerning public presuming to hope, that the accuracy of his figures, together with the additions to the natural history of the subjects, will be thought to render them worthy of encouragement."

The Natural History Of British Birds

E. Donovan

Printed for for the Author and for F. & C. Rivington

Originally published in small parts. Subsequently collected and published in ten volumes probably between 1795 and 1819.

From the preface:

"At the commencement of this work, it was our intention to form a complete History of British Ornithology, and to include figures of all the known Birds, amounting to more than two hundred and fifty species; but we have since conceived it would be advisable to select only the more beautiful Birds, in addition to those which are interesting to the naturalist: for a considerable number of the British species are so well known, that their history would be tedious, and the figures unnecessary, in a work professedly designed to treat of the most remarkable species only. Not that we have entirely overlooked the common Birds; in several instances some of these are introduced also, to point out their singular habits of life, and other interesting peculiarities; but in general, we have endeavoured to form an instructive as well as amusing illustration of this department of Natural History."

Harmonia ruralis

James Bolton

1794-1796

Published in two volumes.

From the preface:

"Ornithology being a very extensive branch of Natural History, complete works on that subject, if well executed, must be attended with very great expense to the publisher, and consequently must cost an high price to the purchasers of copies. I hope, therefore, it will not be unacceptable to the lovers of Songbirds, to be possessed of an History of these alone, separated from all the rest. No one who takes a walk in the fields in a summer morning, can fail of being agreeably entertained by the Feathered Warblers, and may perhaps return with a wish to he informed in the history of the individuals which have afforded pleasure of so refined and so exalted a kind. The country gentleman, who is desirous to know what species of Birds they are which with their song so agreeably enliven the trees in his avenue, or the shrubs in his wilderness, may not be willing to go to the enormous expense of a general History of Birds, with figures faithfully drawn, and coloured from nature. The lady who gives place in the apartments of her house to a few pretty Songbirds, may wish to be informed of their manners, nests, eggs, food, places of resort, &c. &c. in a wild state, or state of nature; at the same time having no desire to acquaint herself with the history of the vulture, the cormorant, the crow, the gull, the booby, the dottrell, &c. &c."

A General Synopsis Of Birds

Volume 3

John Latham

1785

Published in three volumes, each comprising two parts. Each part includes a number of colour plates.

From the preface:

"The contents of the present volume, added to those of the former ones, will, it is to be hoped, make good the promise made in the first, viz. the giving 'a concise account of all the Birds hitherto known,' - to attain the knowledge of which, every assistance has been given to me by my various friends, and no trifling labour bestowed by myself. Enough has been mentioned, in a former Preface, of the nature of this undertaking, which will occasion very little to be added in the present; a few things, however, seem necessary to be here mentioned, which are briefly the following."

Part 2

A General Synopsis Of Birds

Volume 2

John Latham

1783

Published in three volumes, each comprising two parts. Each part includes a number of colour plates.

From the preface:

"In the Preface to the First Volume, the plan of this Work has been mentioned, of which the present is a continuation, and contains the whole of the Passerine, Columbine, and Gallinaceous Orders. These, as before, are disposed, for the most part, according to the Linnaan method of separation into genera; having a frequent eye to the judicious alterations of our friend Thomas Pennant, Esq; noticed in his Genera of Birds: however, from the great number of new species which have come under our inspection in almost every genus, new lights have been thrown on some Subjects, whereby we have been obliged, in some few instances, to deviate a trifle from the sentiments contained in the last-named work; and for which such reasons are given, in their respective places, as have seemed requisite."

Part 2

A General Synopsis Of Birds

Volume 1

John Latham

1781

Published in three volumes, each comprising two parts. Each part includes a number of colour plates.

From the preface:

"The intent of the following sheets is to give, as far as may be, a concise account of all the Birds hitherto known; nothing having been done in this way, as a general work, in the English language, of late years. In other countries, however, it has been paid more attention to, witness that valuable work of M. Rrisson who has brought down his account to the year 1760, when he published his Ornithology. That great and able Naturalist: M. de Buffon, is likewise proceeding fast with a grand work on the same subject, which, when finished on the extensive plan that he has chalked out for himself, will do him much honour. Of this seven volumes are already published, and we are promised two others in a very short time, which are intended to close the undertaking."

Part 2

Genera Of Birds

Thomas Pennant

1781

Advertisement:

"This trifle was written in the year 1772, and presented to Doctor Robert Ramsay, Professor of Natural History in Edinburgh, for the use of the class over which he presided. He printed one impression in the following year and then resigned to me the copy. Death deprived the community of a worthy member, in the loss of my friend, on December 15th, 1778. I suffer the Dedication to remain in this edition, as a small monument to his memory; and of the esteem in which I held a gentleman, ever active in all good offices to .... Thomas Pennant."

" Ornithology is a science which treats of Birds; describes their form, external and internal; and teaches their economy and their uses. A Bird is an animal covered with feathers; furnished with a bill; having two wings, and only two legs, with the faculty, except in very few instances, of removing itself from place to place through the air."

British Zoology

Thomas Pennant

1767-1768

Published in four volumes:

I. Quadrupeds, Birds
II. Birds, with an essay on birds of passage
III. Reptiles, Fish
IV. Crustacea, Mollusca, Testacea.

From the preface:

"At a time, when the study of natural history seems to revive in Europe; and the pens of several illustrious foreigners have been employed in enumerating the productions of their respective countries, we are unwilling that our own island should remain insensible to its particular advantages; we are desirous of diverting the astonishment of our countrymen at the gifts of nature bestowed on other kingdoms, to a contemplation of those with which (at least with equal bounty) she has enriched our own. A judicious Foreigner has well remarked, that an Englishman is excusable should he be ignorant of the papal history, where it does not relate to Great-Britain; but inexcusable should he neglect inquiries into the origin of parlements, the limitation of the royal prerogative, and the gradual deviation from the feudal to the present system of government. The observation is certainly just, and the application appears too obvious to be pointed out; yet the generality of mankind can rest contented with ignorance of their native soil, while a passion for novelty attracts them to a superficial examination of the wonders of Mexico, or Japan; but these should be told, that such a passion is a sure criterion of a weak judgement: utility, truth and certainty, should alone be the point at which science should aim; and what knowledge can be more useful than of those objects with which we are most intimately connected? and where can we reason with greater certainty on such points, than in our own country, where a constant recourse may be had to the specimen of what we have under consideration? But these; and many other arguments for examining into the productions of our own island, may here be waved, as the admirable LINNAEUS has displayed them at large in an oration which for masterly reasoning, and happy ingenuity, may vie with the best compositions"

A Natural History Of Birds

Eleazer Albin

Published by the Author Eleazer Albin and carefully colour'd by his Daughter and Self, from the Originals, drawn from the live Birds

1731

Published in three volumes.

From 'To The Reader':

"THAT which greatly encouraged me to undertake this History of Birds, was the universal Approbation which my Natural History of Insects met with amongst the most skilful and curious in Natural Knowledge, so as to bear a Translation into Latin; but indeed it is a Task which some of the prime Vertuoso's of the Age have put me upon, and have given me their Assistance, some by furnishing me with Birds, others with curious Observations, relating to their Nature, Qualities, length of Age, Food, Habitation, Instinct, Uses, &c. All which Particulars I have taken notice of my self, and given an Account of as I had Occasion in the Descriptions. And as for the Descriptions, I have done those with all the Accuracy I could from the very Birds themselves, which I had always by me at that Time; and particularly I took care to describe their Characteristick Notes and Specifick Differences; and to impose on them the most received and proper Names both English and Latin; in all which I had the Assistance of the best Ornithologists, particularly of the justly famous Mr. Willoughbys Ornithology, and Mr. Ray's Improvements thereof in his Synopsis methodica Avium, publish'd by Dr. Derham: Only to some of the Non Descripts I was forced to impose Names, or take such as the London Bird-Catchers, or others, called them by."

Synopsis Methodica Avium

Joannis Raii (John Ray)

1713