ZOOLOGY - Ornithology - Shelley, G[eorge] E[rnest]. A monograph of the Nectariniidae, or family of sun-birds. With 121 coloured lithograph plates by J. G. Keulemans. London, self-published, 1876-80. gr.-4° (32.5 × 27.2 cm). CVIII, 393 PP. Olive green maroquin master binding of the period (signed Morley, Oxford). With lavish gilt embossing and gilt edges on three sides (spine minimally lightened). Nissen IVB 873 - Anker p. 62 - Sitwell/B. 142 - Zimmer 588: "An excellent monograph". - First edition of the treatise on the family of nectar birds native to Africa and Asia, whose species are mostly characterised by their shimmering, brightly coloured plumage. Our copy with the final title after completion of the deliveries and the bound-in note "Notes for the Binder" after the list of plates. - The beautiful plates show the precisely drawn birds with foliage in fresh and bright colouring, mostly with white highlights. - Slightly browned, the text somewhat foxed in places. - Very fine, splendidly bound copy.