Francois Levaillant (1753-1824) was a noted ornithologist and explorer. He was one of a group of scientists opposed to the new Lineaean system of nomenclature and would only name new species he discovered in French. Of the several works to his name that of the birds of Africa is his most noted. Publication of the first edition began in 1796 and concluded after fifty-one parts in 1808. Mendelssohn called it ‘A most magnificent production, by far the most important ornithological work on Africa published up to this period”. Levaillant arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in March 1781 and made three journeys of exploration before returning to France in 1784. Along with many others he got caught up in the French Revolution and was for a period imprisoned. Following the overthrow of Robespierre he was released. He suffered many trials and tribulations on the way including difficulties with various tribes. In 1790 he published the first of two books on his travels before starting production of this work. His works are some of the first to describe the wonders of the African continent. This rare collected edition was published in 1824 and included all the original plates engraved after J. Lebrecht Reinold by C. M. Fessard and J. L. Perée. cf. Anker 297; Fine Bird Books pp. 13-15; Mendelssohn I:892; cf. Nissen IVB 555.