The Merlin. This item is unavailable.The Merlin

17 x 13 inches, copperplate engraving with early wash colour. The 'The British Zoology' by the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant (1726-98) is the first coloured folio British bird book to attempt to list all the species in Britain. Many are drawn life size by Peter Paillou (c.1720-c.90). They are beautifully etched by Peter Mazell and published by Thomas Pennant. He was a correspondent to many naturalists of the day including Carl Linnaeus and amassed a considerable collection of antiquities which is now at the National Library of Wales. Anker (1979) 392; Ayer (1926) 487; 'Fine Bird Books' (1953) 99; Nissen IVB (1976) 710.