A Synopsis of the Birds of North America. Pp. i-xi, 1-359. 8vo. Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh; Longman, Rees, Brown, Green and Longman, London. MDCCCXXXIX.
A methodical index to the birds of America, with special reference to the large folio plates and Ornithological Biography; 45 families and 139 genera are defined; 5 new names are added, making the total number of recognized species 491.
4. Audubon, John James, F. R. SS. L. & E. (&c., &c.):
The Birds of America from Drawings made in the United States and its Territories. 7 vols. of text and plates, roy. 8vo. Published by the Author and J. B. Chevalier. New York and Philadelphia, 1840-1844.
The "Birds in Miniature," or first octavo edition of text and plates combined; issued to subscribers in 100 Parts, each with 5 lithographic colored plates, at $1.00 a Part.
| Vol. | I. | Parts | 1-14; pll. | 1-70; | pp. i-viii, | 9-256. | 1840. |
| Vol. | II. | Parts | 15-28; pll. | 71-140; | pp. i-viii, | 9-206. | 1841. |
| Vol. | III. | Parts | 29-42; pll. | 141-210; | pp. i-viii, | 9-236. | 1841. |
| Vol. | IV. | Parts | 43-56; pll. | 211-280; | pp. i-viii, | 9-324. | 1842. |
| Vol. | V. | Parts | 57-70; pll. | 281-350; | pp. i-viii, | 9-348. | 1842. |
| Vol. | VI. | Parts | 71-84; pll. | 251[351]-420; | pp. i-viii, | 9-460. | 1843. |
| Vol. | VII. | Parts | 85-100; pll. | 421-500; | pp. i-x, | 9[11]-374. | 1844. |
In this "miniature" edition, the "delineations of American scenery and manners" are omitted, the text revised, and the nomenclature made to conform with the Synopsis; the plates of the large folio were broken up, and their accessories reduced, so that but one species appears on each; 7 species, described in the Biography and Synopsis are figured for the first time in an Appendix, in which also appear 17 species that had been neither figured nor described before, thus bringing the total number of birds represented on the octavo plates to 500; four of the largest birds receive two plates each, thus leaving the number of distinct species figured at 496, while the 12 species herein described brings the total number of species recognized by Audubon in 1844 to 508. The plates of this edition are rearranged and renumbered to conform with the new arrangement of the text, which was considerably improved. The series begins with the California Vulture, and ends with Baird's Bunting.
Vols. I-V were published by J. J. Audubon, New York, and simultaneously issued by J. B. Chevalier, Philadelphia; Vols. VI-VII, published by J. J. Audubon, 77 Williams St., New York, and 34 North First St., Philadelphia.
The Numbers or Parts were issued in blue paper covers, or drab when without plates (7 x 11 inches), on which were printed the "Prospectus," lists of subscribers and agents, besides other information which the author wished to convey to his patrons. The printer's legend at the right lower corner reads: "Lithd. Printed & Cold. by J. T. Bowen, Philada." Parts in original covers are extremely rare; a set in this condition was offered in 1914 at $750.