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Henry Eeles Dresser

The books are ordered by publication date with the most recent at the top.

The Eggs of the Birds of Europe

H.E. Dresser

1905-1910

Published in parts between 1905 and 1910. Then published in two volumes: Volume I - letter-press, Volume II - plates.

From the preface to Volume I:

When my work on the Birds Of Europe was projected it was my intention to have given plates of the eggs as well as of the Birds, but difficulties then arose which made it inadvisable to carry out my puposes. Recently, however, finding that good and reliable illustrations of eggs could be secured by the three-colour photographic process, I decided to undertake the present work, and I was encouraged to do so by the fact that there are many collectors who interest themselves in eggs alone and not in birds also; in fact, they appear to be in the majority. Indeed many, if not most, ornithologists like myself, when quite young, by collecting eggs, which naturally leads to the study of birds, and more especially of their habits during the season of nidification. Undoubtedly there are cabinet oologists who collect eggs as they would postage stamps, and obtain their specimens chiefly by purchase from dealers and field oologists, but those collections are certainly of the greater scientific value where the specimens are carefully identified."

A Manual Of Palearctic Birds

H.E. Dresser

Part I: 1902

Part II: 1903

From the preface:

Twenty years ago, when the Birds of Europe was nearing its end, I thought of issuing a similar work on the Birds of Northern Asia, in order to furnish a complete account of the Ornithology of the Palearctic Region. It seemed, however, that I could not expect to obtain for my project the support of a sufficient number of subscribers to save me from serious pecuniary loss, and with much regret the project had to be abandoned. I have since been urged by many friends to bring out a Handbook of European Birds, of a size, and at a price, which would be convenient to travellers and field-naturalists the latter being a class of persons with whom, for the sake of old associations, when I counted myself one of them, I have still the greatest sympathy. Bearing in mind, however, my former desire to treat of the Birds of Northern Asia, and knowing how non-existent is any physical barrier between the Eastern and Western portions of the Palearctic area, I have thought it expedient not to limit the present Manual to European species, even with the addition of those of Barbary and the Atlantic Islands (Madeira, Canaries, and Azores).

Leaf-Warblers

H.E. Dresser

Educational Series No. 20

Society for the Protection of Birds

1890's

A 4 page guide that covers the Chiffchaff, Willow=Wren and Wood-Wren. Provides a brief description and information on distribution, numbers, food, characteristics, protection, plus one and a half pages of general remarks.

H.E. Dresser was the editor of the Educational Series of guides published by the Society for the Protection of Birds. For information about the series see the Educational series page.

Supplement To A History Of The Birds Of Europe Forming Volume IX

Additional Species Found To Occur In The Western Palearctic Area

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1895-1896

From the preface:

"Since the completion of the 'Birds of Europe,' I have several times contemplated the issue of a Supplement, but have deferred so doing until I had collected sufficient material to make a volume at least as large as any one of those forming the original work. It was suggested to me by more than one subscriber that I should revise each article in the original work, bringing the same up to date; but I found that a thorough revision, adding all the material that has since accumulated, would fill at least three if not four volumes, and that it would really be tantamount to bringing out a new edition, and I have therefore preferred merely to treat of such species as have to be added to those in the original work, and should a new edition be required I shall probably issue the same in the form of a concise handbook, condensing the information into as small a space as possible."

A Monograph of the Coraciidae, or Family of the Rollers

Henry Eeles Dresser

Colour plates: J.G. Keulemans

Published by the author

Printed by Francis & Taylor

1893

Notes on Birds collected by Dr. G. Radde in the Transcaspian Region

H.E. Dresser

Ibis: Volume 31, Issue 1, pages 85-92

1889

Opening lines:

"Dr. G. Radde of Tiflis, has recently sent to me for examination and identification a selection from a collection of birds obtained chiefly by him during his recent journeys in the Transcaspian Region. He purposes to publish a full account of the birds he observed there in thc 'Ornis;' but it may be of interest to the readers of 'The Ibis' to have a few particulars respecting the small selection sent to me, which contains an example of one new species, a most interesting Shrike, and several other birds of interest."

A Monograph of the Meropidae or Family of the Bee-Eaters

Henry Eeles Dresser

Published by the author

Printed by Francis & Taylor

1884-1886

A List Of European Birds Including All Species Found In The Western Palearctic Region

Henry E. Dresser

1881

Introduction:

"Several of the Subscribers to my 'Birds of Europe' have urged me to publish a List of the Birds of the "Western Palearctic Region, as a check-list for labelling, and for reference in making exchanges of birds and eggs; and as no such list already existed, I hope that the present one may prove useful. I have, as will be seen, followed Professor Huxley's classification, which appears to me to be the best that has yet been elaborated, which classification I have adopted in the 'Birds of Europe;' and in order to facilitate reference, the species are numbered consecutively, as has been done in that work. A few alterations in the nomenclature, which further research has proved to be necessary, have been made."

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume VIII

Scolopacidae, Laridae, Procellariidae, Alcidae, Colymbidae, Podicipitidae

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume VII

Columbae, Galinae, Grallae, Otidae, Oedicnemidae, Glareolidae, Charadriidae, Scolopacidae

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume VI

Falconidae, Pelecanidae, Ardeidae, Ciconiidae, Plataleidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume V

Picidae, Alcedinidae, Coraciidae, Meropidae, Upupidae, Cucilidae, Strigidae, Bubonidae, Vultuidae, Falconidae

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume IV

Fringillinae, Loxiinae, Emberizinae, Alaudidae, Sturnidae, Corvidae, Cypselidae, Caprimulgidae

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume III

Drymoecinae, Crateropodinae, Accentoridae, Panuridae, Paridae, Sittidae, Certhiidae, Trglodytidae, Motacillidae, Pyconotidae, Oriolidae, Laniidae, Ampelidae, Muscicapidae, Hirundinidae, Fringillinae

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume II

Turdinae, Cinclinae, Saxicolinae, Sylviinae, Phylloscopinae, Acrocephalinae

Henry E. Dresser

Published by the author

1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume I

Title page, Dedication, List Of Subscribers, Preface, Introduction, Literature, Addenda et Errata, Index

Henry E. Dresser

1871-1881

From the preface:

"Early in 1870 the idea of writing a work on European Ornithology was first* projected by Mr. R. B. Sharpe and myself; and before the close of that year we had arranged to undertake the present work in copartnership; but the first Part was not issued before March 1871. Twelve Parts were published with tolerable regularity, when Mr. Sharpe, who had given up his post as Librarian to the Zoological Society, and had obtained an appointment at the British Museum, found that his new duties would not allow him to continue his share of the work. He was therefore compelled to ask me to release him; and the partnership was consequently dissolved, I undertaking to continue the publication alone. His name, however, was retained on the title pages of the parts up to Part XVII., although the articles in these Parts were written by myself, except the synonymy for Part XIII., which Mr. Sharpe had prepared before we dissolved partnership. The articles in small type on the Sparrow-Hawks, Emberiza cia and its allies, and on the Blue Rock-Thrushes were written entirely by Mr. Sharpe; and I am glad to be able to give the sole credit of the same to him. A portion of the synonymy was elaborated by the late Marquis of Tweeddale (then Lord Walden), such portion bearing his signature, with the exception of the synonymy of the species contained in Part XIV., which he most kindly undertook to do, as I was then rather overworked ; besides, from time to time, as the work progressed, I received the greatest assistance from him in hunting up obscure references ; he likewise always allowed me the use of his specimens and books whenever I required them."