First edition. Vol.1 “Part I. the Land Birds”; Vol.2 “Part II. The Water Birds.” Title continues: “Being a Short description of the birds of Great Britain and Ireland, including the essential characters of the species, genera, families, and orders.” With a few in-text illustrations in the ‘Introduction’ (v.1). Part of MacGillivray’s Manuals of Natural History series (see notes). A near fine copy, gilt nice and bright; small splash on lower spine of v.2, faint one on front of v.1; v.2 with bookseller’s ticket (front pastedown) and binders ticket (rear pastedown); contents excellent.