Birds of Arabia.

First edition; large 4to (26.4 x 18 cm); folding map of Arabia and The Gulf in rear pocket, 19 colour plates, 9 photographic plates, maps and illustrations in text; later tan morocco gilt by Asprey, with gilt arms of Saudi Arabia to upper cover, a fine copy; 624 pp. A finely bound copy of this definitive work on Arabian birds with the gilt arms of Saudi Arabia, officially adopted in 1950, adorning the front cover. A controversial figure in his 'day job' of military intelligence and espionage Meinertzhagen was also a keen ornithologist and in 1948—49, accompanied by Dr Phillip Clancey, he made an expedition to Arabia, Yemen, Aden, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya which resulted in the present book.