PRAETORIUS, Johann.
Storchs u. Schwalben Winter-Quartier. Das ist, eine ungemeine Vergnügung der curiosen Gemüther, durch einen vollständigen physicalischen Discurs, von obgedachten Sommer-Boten, wie auch andern unstetlebenden Vögeln und Thieren: ...
Frankfurt and Leipzig, Christian Weidmann, 1676. 8vo. With the title-page printed in red and black. Contemporary calf, richly gold-tooled spine and board-edges. [32], 445, [3 blank], [14], [2 blank] pp.
€ 1,500
First edition of an early treatise on bird migration by the prolific and versatile, but later unjustly overlooked author, Johann Praetorius, the partly Latinized name of Hans Schultze (1630-1680). He deals with various birds species that either leave or visit Germany in winter, tries to figure out how they know when to migrate, and refers to biblical passages and folk tales.
Some manuscript notes on the title-page and its back. Slightly browned, with a wormhole in the upper outer corner, not affecting the text. Binding slightly rubbed, hinge cracked. Overall in good condition. Schlenker 276.1; VD17 3:304628N; for Praetorius: ADB XXVI, pp. 520-529; Faber du Faur, pp. 199-200.
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