This volume appears to have been Dresser's own copy, or bound under his direction, as it bears his own gilt emblem, a custom binding design incorporating a rustic initial letter D and an owl on the front cover of each volume. Published by the author (by special permission) at the office of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Two volumes: Volume I - Text, illustrated with numberous drawings, 837 pp.; Volume II - Plates, 106 color plates of eggs. Dresser originally intended to include plates of eggs in his Birds of Europe (see next item), but difficulties arose. When he found reliable illustrations of eggs could be secured by the three-color photographic process, he undertook the present work. Both volumes in decorated red cloth. Wrappers of original 24 parts bound at rear of plate volume. Wear to cloth edges and corners. Back cover of text volume stained, rear exterior hinge splitting.