"The information given, being 'a plain unvarnished tale' of the writer's own personal experience, will, it is hoped, prove alike interesting and instructive to the reader; while the illustrations, drawn by his daughter, being portraits of his own birds, will serve as a guide to those who may wish (like the Author) to form a systematic and choice collection for themselves."--Preface, dated 1868.

Colour wood-engraved plates are unsigned and without imprint. All are with title captions.

Plates were printed and engraved by Benjamin Fawcett. Cf. McLean, Ruari and Antonia. Benjamin Fawcett: engraver and colour printer, 1988.

Wood-engraved illustration within the text is unsigned.

With the same setting of type and wood-engraved plates as used in an 1868 edition of this title published by Groombridge & Sons. See McLean D 1026.

Includes small wood-engraved decorative initials and tail-pieces.

Publisher's advertisements on p. [1-6] at end.

McLean, Ruari and Antonia. Benjamin Fawcett, p. 147.

MASS copy: Bound in green sand-grain cloth blocked in gold and blind in the same design as McLean D 1026; a.e.g Upper cover blocked in gold with illustration replicated from the text. Spine with imprint: "Groombridge". With pastel yellow endpapers. With ink stamp: "Thrust On".