inscribed presentation copy

First edition of this scarce, comprehensive record of international parrot breeding, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper of volume I, "With best wishes, A.A.P." and with the volume of additional records discovered after publication.

Arthur Prestwich was secretary of the British Avicultural Society and compiled significant records on parrot breeding and naming. The present volume was the result of thirty years of collecting information and comprises not only data, but the full narrative form of each record as far as possible, since 'many of the works quoted are scarce and difficult of access'. It also includes records that are 'of extremely doubtful character' to give as full an account as possible. The volume of additions adds new material, much of it found searching Australian periodicals.

First edition; 2 vols, 8vo; text on the rectos only, bookplates, contents very faintly toned; original red pebble-grain cloth, titles to spines gilt, red speckled edges, lightly rubbed at the extremities, corners bumped, front hinge in the first volume cracked, very good condition; 384 & 80pp.