SKETCHES OF THE WILD SPORTS and NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HIGHLANDS. By Charles St. John.

(1846) 1878 illustrated edn. 8vo (150 x 210mm). Ppxvi,338. B/w engraved plates by A.J. Whymper and others. Gilt wildcat to green cloth, bevelled boards.

A fascinating perspective on sport and wildlife of the Scottish Highlands in the early years of the 19th century. Contains chapters on angling in loch and river for trout, salmon and char; shooting snipe, grouse and pigeon, etc; deer stalking and shooting; wildfowling; poaching and gamekeeping; seal shooting; falconry, etc. The natural history of the region is also covered, with descriptions of the various game animals, birds, and fish which dominate the area. Seven editions preceded this one, none of which were illustrated; "This want - to which attention has often been called - it is the object of the present Edition to supply." "To the naturalist who loves to know the habits of an animal in its native haunts, the book must be a treasure; and now that Harrison Weir, Whymper, Corbould, Collins, and Ehves have adorned it with their art, the book should become a greater favourite than ever. No artist equals Whymper in his faithfulness to life in drawing animals. Every picture in the book, and there are about eighty of them, is a masterpiece in its way, and an impressive lesson in natural history. We need only say that the engraver is Mr. J. W. Whymper to convince our readers that the artists' charming work has been faithfully and skilfully rendered. No one can read achapter of the book without being both refreshed and instructed." Review inNature, January 2nd, 1879.