Morris, A History of British Birds.
Morris, Rev. F.O. [Francis Orpen]. A History of British Birds. Second Edition. Six Volumes. London, Bell and Daldy, 1870. 25 x 17 cm. Vol.1: xii, 303 / Vol.2: iv, 283 / Vol.3: iv, 272 / Vol.4: iv, 264 / Vol.5: iv, 247 / Vol.6: iv, 225 pages plus two pages publishers list. With 365 hand coloured Plates in total – complete. Original uniform dark green embossed cloth. Gilt titles and volume numbers on spine. Elaborate gilt and blind decorations. Very good condition. Bindings rubbed and bumped. Edges and end papers dust dulled. Ex Libris of previous owner (‘R. Lachlan Trinity College Cambridge’) on front paste down. Some front hinges started to crack, but bindings remain sound. Occasional mild foxing, otherwise internally bright and clean. A very nice set.
Francis Orpen Morris (1810 – 1893) was an Irish clergyman, notable as “parson-naturalist” (ornithologist and entomologist) and as the author of many children’s books and books on natural history and heritage buildings. He was a pioneer of the movement to protect birds from the plume trade and was a co-founder of the Plumage League. He died on 10 February 1893 and was buried at Nunburnholme, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.