The Game Birds of India, Burmah, and Ceylon. [In three volumes.] by HUME, Allan MARSHALL, C.H.T

FIRST EDITION, 3vol., pp.(8)279; (4)264; (4)438,vi; 144 fine chromolithograph plates printed by F. Waller in London after W. Foster, E. Neale, M. Herbert, Stanley Wilson & others; some marginal water stains on plates, but generally well preserved in handsome half crimson morocco, top edge gilt, others uncut, lettered in gold, five raised bands, by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Compiled with contributions and notes from a network of over 200 correspondents, Hume delegated the colour printing to Marshall while sending specific notes on the colours of soft parts and other instructions to the artists. But Hume was so disappointed with the accuracy of much of their work that he included additional notes on the plates in the book. The 'Father of Indian Ornithology', Hume was a political reformer and founder of the Indian National Congress Party which subsequently led the movement for indepenedence. Estimating it would cost £4000 to publish, Hume retired from the Indian Civil Service on 1 January 1882 following the completion of his magnum opus.