A Monograph of the Bucerotidae, or Family of the Hornbills.

[New York:] published for subscribers by the author [printed by Taylor and Francis], [1877]-1882. First Edition, Large 4to (382 x 272 mm), Contemporary dark green half morocco, top edges gilt, others uncut, with 60 lithographic plates, comprising 57 hand-coloured plates by and after J. G. Keulemans, and 3 uncoloured plates of generic characters by and after J. Smit, all printed by M. and N. Hanhart, numerous textual anatomical illustrations., Original Wrappers Bound In.

Issued in 10 parts, This Copy with the Original Wrappers bound at the end of the volume. This was the last of Elliott’s great ornithological monographs, “a comprehensive treatment of the entire family of hornbills” (Zimmer). The series of plates are after John Gerrard Keulemans, the Dutch bird illustrator, and one of the best ornithological artists of his time. “The drawings, the happy results of Mr. Keuleman’s talented pencil, most characteristically depict the strange forms and attitudes of these curious birds (Preface, p.vi). Throughout his career, he illustrated works by Richard Bowdler Sharpe, Henry Seebohm, William Vincent Legge, and Henry Eeles Dresser.

The hornbill family is arranged into two divisions, the ground, then tree hornbills, and includes species from the Ethiopian and Oriental regions. Plate 44, although included on the plate list, was never issued.

Ayer/Zimmer p. 207; Fine Bird Books p. 74; Nissen IVB 297.