Birds: Mini Archive with DVD

This lovely book showcases the delicate copper engravings of birds created by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Compte de Buffon (1707-88), for his masterpiece work Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière.

The glorious birds captured within are original reproductions of Leclercs art, which depicts the vibrant hues of the birds feathers, the varying length of their wings, and their wide eyed expressions as they stand perched, always alert for symbols of danger or other forms of life that might serve as their next meal. Leclercs original text from Histoire naturelle is also faithfully reproduced to provide descriptive information on the birds, such as their living locations and their unique physical characteristics.

To bring this lovely book into the 21st century, the paperback format and low price make this rare and significant volume accessible and affordable. A DVD is also included with images of the birds to be used by readers at their discretion.

Birds presents the rare and compelling drawings of influential naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon, the founder of the Museum of Natural History in Paris and a man who prefigured John James Audobon, John Gould, and Alexander Wilson as the founding father of ornithology. Only four sets of Buffons ambitious 36-volume illustrated opus survive to the present day, making this reproduction of his bird drawings from Histoire Naturelle, Generale et Particuliere an historical and invaluable endeavor. Collins Designs Mini Archive series brings Buffons work to the public for the first time in this handsomely illustrated book and its accompanying DVD, delivering an invaluable resource for anyone passionate to embrace the beauty of the natural world.

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Compte de Buffon (1707-88), was a highly educated and respected French naturalist. He was the author of Les Époques de la Nature (1778), Oeuvres Complètes de Buffon (1853-55), and the book Birds is based on the extraordinary 36 volume work Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière, which was designed to explore natures three kingdoms, animal, mineral, and vegetable, and to serve as an encyclopedia of the world.