A history of the birds of Europe, Henry Dresser

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A History Of The Birds Of Europe

This page lists the 8 volumes and supplement of the final published version of A History Of The Birds Of Europe by Henry Dresser.

The History was originally published in 84 parts which were made available to subscribers between 1871 and 1881.

The first 12 parts were produced by Henry Dresser and Richard Bowdler Sharpe. The remaining parts were produced by Dresser alone. The preface to Volume 1 (listed below) explains the authorial responsibilities.

The History includes over 630 hand coloured plates portraying all species, often with male and female and sometimes with juvenile. The majority of plates are by J.G. Keulmans, with additional illustrations by J. Wolf, W. M. Hart, E. Neale, and J. Smit.

The 84 parts of the History were gathered together in the 8 volume edition of the work that is listed on this page. This edition includes the original text and plates and adds supporting material such as an index and list of corrections.

A single volume supplement was published in 1896 describing species not included in the original 8 volumes.


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 Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others 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 History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume VIII Scolopacidae, Laridae, Procellariidae, Alcidae, Colymbidae, Podicipitidae Henry E. Dresser Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others 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 Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others 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 Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others 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 Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others 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 Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others 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 Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others Published by the author 1871-1881

A History Of The Birds Of Europe, Volume II Turdinae, Cinclinae, Saxicolinae, Sylviinae, Phylloscopinae, Acrocephalinae Henry E. Dresser Illustrations: J.G. Keulemans, J. Wolf, E. Neale, and others 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 Published by the author 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."