The Birds Of Canada - With Descriptions Of Their Plumage, Habits, Food, Song, Etc. (1872) (Hardcover)

With Descriptions Of Their Plumage, Habits, Food, Song, Nests, Eggs, Times of Arrival and Departure. This is among the earliest major Canadian works about birds. It is the first comprehensive account of Canadian birds written by a Canadian and published in Canada. In his Preface, Ross states: "My object in presenting this volume to the public is in some measure to supply a want long felt by those interested in the study of Canadian Ornithology."His work went through two editions with the first appearing in 1871 and the second, in 1872, updated to include 79 species found in Manitoba and British Columbia, newly admitted to the Dominion of Canada. The second edition is divided into an Introduction, six chapters which describe 296 bird species divided into six avian Orders, and another that adds 79 extra western species found in Manitoba and British Columbia. Finally, there are two six-page lists, one of scientific names and one of common or vernacular bird's names. Ross was elected a Fellow of the Linnaean Society of London and of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1875 Ross resumed practicing medicine in Ontario, eschewing the use of drugs, alcohol, and even vaccination in his practice, and for seven years he crusaded for physical and moral reform.--C. Stuart Houston.