Life Histories of North American Birds

Two hardcover volumes bound in quarter leather. Washington: Smithsonian Institution. Special Bulletin Number 1, 1892. Life Histories of North American Birds with Special Reference to Their Breeding Habits and Eggs. (414 pp., 12 lithographic plates) and Special Bulletin No. 3, 1895. Life Histories of North American Birds, From the Parrots to the Grackles with Reference to Their Breeding Habits and Eggs. (508 pp., 7 lithographic plates). A total of 19 color plates of eggs protected with tissue guards with text. Small folios. Boards of first volume hanging by a thread, water wrinkle to plates. Boards of second volume detached. Together with a carbon copy of a draft letter from William Dutcher expressing his admiration of Captain Bendire's careful research and urging him to continue his valuable work. Unfortunately, Bendire died in 1897 at the age of 60. It was not until 1910 that Arthur Cleveland Bent took up the challenge of revising and continuing the Life Histories, an effort that took nearly 60 years to complete. A set worthy of rebacking.