Birds: Adapted from Georges-Louis Leclerc, Compte de Buffon's "Histoire Naturelle"

About this book

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

The birds captured within are original reproductions of Leclerc's 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 signs of danger or other forms of life that might serve as their next meal. Leclerc's 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.

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Biography

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