The ornithology of Australia: being illustrations of two hundred and forty-four birds. Dedicated by permission to his excellency sir George Ferguson Brown, G. C. M. G., first governor of Queensland.

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Sylvester Diggles was a prominent figure in early Colonial Brisbane and had interests ranging from music to entomology. His book belongs to that small but select group of colour-plate books produced in Australia. Copies of Diggles are invariably found in average, or worse, condition; probably because all but three copies were originally subscribed for in the subtropics of Queensland and New South Wales. Copies in quality contemporary bindings are almost non-existent. Diggles is complex bibliographically and virtually no two copies are alike, but for practical purposes there are two editions.

The first edition, The Ornithology of Australia, appeared in 21 parts from 1866 to 1870 with six plates per part for a total of 126 plates. This first edition is usually found in a contemporary binding with plates and accompanying text leaves but no title-page or index. The title The Ornithology of Australia is invariably found on the spine or upper board. Typically, such copies have only 120 plates and were obviously bound before the 21st part was produced. However Ferguson (9148) notes a copy with 126 plates and a title-page. There was a two-year gap between the 20th part and the final part.

The second edition, Companion to Gould's Handbook ..., was issued in two volumes dated 1877, with a title-page and index for each volume. The prospectus, printed on the lower wrappers of the first five parts of the first edition, is reprinted. Some of the plates from the first seven parts were redrawn for this edition. The plates from the final part are always present whereas they are usually absent in bound copies of The Ornithology of Australia. Sets of The Companion are often found in contemporary red half red morocco, usually in two volumes, and call for 123 plates with three plates (11A, 75 and 106) listed as "description only". Presumably Diggles had run out of stock of these three plates.

The scarcity of Diggles can, in part, be attributed to the financial problems which beset him. His subscriber list dropped from 92 to 60 and a letter from Diggles to the Rev. J. J. Halley dated 19 September 1871 gives some insight into the difficulties under which he was labouring. "I was delighted to receive the first part of your excellent work on the Psittacidae of Australia, & wish you every success in its full and complete termination. I only hope that the disappointments I have met with, may not be your lot & that no adverse "crisis" may arise to cause the sudden withdrawal of some of the dilatory payment or sometimes the not paying at all of many subscribers. I fear that you will without the aid of energetic and persevering agents be obliged to act to a considerable extent on the credit system. It is now nearly 2 years since I stopped the issue of my work & saved myself from severe loss. I hope bye & bye to resume, but do not flatter myself that I shall surpass your work in the quality of either plates or letterpress (the latter especially). We could not attempt the chromo-process here, if it could be done a vast deal of trouble would be saved. The amount of anxiety I have had in bringing out the 20 parts already issued is unknown to any one but myself. Slapdash colouring which could not be passed but I dare not complain, as I should not be able to replace my colourist. Many are the arduous hours I have spent in going over the plates to make them at all possible. I shall be happy to use my influence to obtain some subscribers but do not be too sanguine of my success. For my own part I will send you a part of my work in exchange for every one of yours & will undertake to give every plate a modicum of my own pencil work. You invite criticism which shows you are not afraid of the same ... My own lithographer's work is far from faultless. If at any time I can assist you with a few notes I shall be glad ... " ( Moyal, pp.116-117). Diggles, in any edition and in reasonable condition, is a rare and desirable book.

This particular copy is of great interest. It closely matches Diggles own copy and the standard of c