Haarlem, Wed. A. Loosjes [for the Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen], 1828. 8vo (22.2 x 13.5 cm). Title page to the volume; title page to the paper, 162 pp. (numbered 131-292). Not bound, as issued.

Rare, early paper by the German-Dutch herpetologist and ornithologist Hermann (here Herman) Schlegel (1804-1884). Published in the year he officially became curator of the vertebrates in the Leiden Museum of Natural History. This work deals with bird migration, in the early 19th century still a little documented and poorly understood phenomenon. This is Schlegel's " Treatise answering the question: Since there is still a lot of darkness and differing feelings about the regions to which the migratory birds that have become known to us move, the Society wishes to see brought together everything that has been said about this through experience or through stories from credible writers". Schlegel arranged the birds systematically and uses both their Latin and Dutch vernacular names. As Schlegel wrote in his autobiography, this work was the result of a bet: he had to write it within two weeks. The Maatschappij printed the work, and awarded Schlegel with a gold medal and 150 Dutch florins. Uncut. Unbound, as issued. An excellent, clean copy. Cat. BM(NH), p. 1838; Schlegel, G. (1884), Levensschets van Hermann Schlegel, p. 84.