London, John van Voorst, 1855. 4to (27.5 x 18.0 cm). vii, 147 pp.; 24 chromolithographed plates (XI and XIII acting as frontispieces) with fine hand-colouring. Early 20th-century dark green half morocco over linen boards. Spine with five raised bands; compartments with gilt ornithological vignettes and title. Marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Original embossed limp cloth boards with large gilt vignette and gilt on the front board, bound in the rear.

First edition. According to Schwerdt, this is "...the best English book on falconry and a very attractive publication". The fine plates were drawn and engraved by the second author, William Brodrick of Chudleigh (1814-1888). Francis Henry Salvin (1817-1904) was a writer on falconry and hawking. "Salvin was also the first to revive successfully in England the old sport of fishing with cormorants." (Wikipedia). Plates XXII-XXIV (last) show equipment used in falconry - all others show falcons and hawks. Provenance: with armorial bookplate " senza cozzar dirocco" of Umberto Caproni [Conte] di Taliedo mounted on the front pastedown. Several plates a bit foxed, but mainly on the blank versos. Text leaves and plates rectos usually much cleaner. A very good copy. Nissen IVB, 147; Schwerdt II, p. 145; Sitwell, Fine Bird Books, p. 137; Zimmer, p. 541.