Set of 3 Engravings of Birds from Buffon's "Histoire Naturelle"

A set of three hand coloured copper plate engravings of birds from the English version of "Histoire Naturelle", published in late 18th century, in several volumes, by Le Comte de Buffon, Georges-Louis LeClerk. They are charming and beautifully drawn. The subjects include Chaffinch, Canary Bird, Virginian Nightingale and Green Finch; Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet and Red Pole; and Devon Heron and Flamingo. Buffon was an interesting character and a leading figure in the French enlightenment - a naturalist, mathematician, biologist, cosmologist and author. He theorised that the earth had been chipped off the sun by a passing comet and had taken 70,000 years to cool down. This was revolutionary at a time when most people thought the world was 7000 years old. He also came up with an early version of evolution- there were "moulds" of creatures which adapted over time.