A solid copy of Olin Sewall Pettingill Jr.’s classic ornithology text—Natural History / Ornithology at its best. First issued in 1939 and here updated to the Fourth Edition (1970), this classroom-and-field staple bridges bird biology, behavior, and identification.
Illustrated by Walter J. Breckenridge, it features clear diagrams, figures, and keys used in both lab and fieldwork. Durable illustrated boards make it a ready companion for study or display.
Quick Specs
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Item Type: Vintage hardcover book
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Size: 10 × 8 × 1.5 inches
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Material: Illustrated hard cover boards
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Color: Blue boards with black/white/red bird art
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Origin or Maker: Burgess Publishing Company (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
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Year or Era: 1970 (Fourth Edition stated)
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GENRE: Natural History / Ornithology
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Language / Pages: English / 524 pages
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Identifiers: ISBN 8087-1609-3; Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 79-119563
Edition & Features
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Edition/Printing: Fourth Edition (stated)
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Dust Jacket: Not provided
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Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Profusely illustrated with diagrams and identification keys; artwork by Walter J. Breckenridge; color frontispiece of Archaeopteryx noted on title spread
Condition Grade: Good
Notes: Solid binding. Boards show expected shelf wear—rubbing, small surface marks, and bumped corners/edges; light soiling to blue covers and spine. Text appears clean with mild age toning from normal use. No dust jacket present (textbook issue).
See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
About the Author / Maker: Olin Sewall Pettingill Jr.
Olin Sewall Pettingill Jr. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology) authored this long-respected text used by generations of students and field naturalists. Illustrations are by Walter J. Breckenridge of the University of Minnesota’s Museum of Natural History.
Add this field-tested classic to your shelf—and your next birding session.
Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including vintage books, retro bookends, and charming collectible pieces.
