Ornithological notebooks: 'Edward Sabine, Canada 1814 and 1815'

Two ornithological notebooks. Text in Vol. II starts at both ends. Each is entitled 'Edward Sabine, Canada 1814 and 1815'. The first volume contains a loose 20th century typescript note stating that the observations date from Sabine's service on the Niagara frontier, at the Siege of Fort Eire and at Quebec, shortly before his return to England in 1816.

Though eventually a General in the Royal Artillery, and P.R.S. 1861-71, Sabine is best remembered for his work on terrestrial magnetism.

According to Robin Price, An Annotated Catalogue of Medical Americana in the Library of the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1983), his studies in natural history began with his ornithological observations during his service on the Niagara frontier, of which these volumes are a fair copy.

However, in the light of subsequent research it appears likely that these two notebooks in fact comprise a transcription of materials Sabine copied from Mark Catesby, John Bartram, Thomas Pennant and others, rather than field observations.

1814-1815

Vol.I: 1l., ff.100; Vol.II: 1l., 41ll., 18 bl. ll., 28ll. 22 x 18.5 cm. Bound in original red 1/2 morocco, damaged. Some leaves excised at end of vol. I, and 20 loose folios inserted.

Purchased at Stevens 17.3.1931

Described in: Robin Price, An Annotated Catalogue of Medical Americana in the Library of the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1983).