WILLUGHBY, Francis (1635-1672) & John RAY (1627-1705). The Ornithology of Francis Willughby ... In three books ... Translated into English, and enlarged, London: A.C. for John Martyn, 1678. 2° (355 x 230mm). Title in red and black, 80 engraved plates by W. Fairthorne, F.H. van Hove and W. Sherwin, 2 single-page letterpress tables, occasional woodcut diagrams. (Rusthole to lower blank margin of Y4, paperfault tears to lower blank margin of plate XXX1.) Contemporary calf (rebacked, 18th-century lettering-piece laid down, corners repaired). Provenance: Thomas Coombs (Dorchester, bookplate); Mary Valentine Ackland (1906-1969, Maiden Newton, Dorchester, ink ownership stamp). FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH OF 'ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TREATISES ON ORNITHOLOGY OF ALL TIME' INCLUDING THE 'FIRST SYSTEMATIC CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS OF THE WORLD' (Wood). Anker 532; BM(NH) V, p.2331; Keynes Ray39; Nissen IVB 991; Wood p.629.