Zoologie

1916 · 177822 — Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society 1916. First edition first printing of this early pamphlet on the fauna of Iraq written for soldiers active in the Middle Eastern theatre of the First World War. We have traced only three copies in UK institutions and three in France. Norman Boyd Kinnear 1882-1957 was a zoologist and ornithologist who became curator of the museum of the Bombay Natural History Society in 1907. This society was dedicated to collecting specimens of animals from across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. For example in 1911 they organized a survey of mammals in India that amassed over 50000 specimens and Kinnear was tasked with cataloguing and dispatching this collection to the British Museum. Kinnear produced this present pamphlet in 1916. "During World War I large collections of birds mammals reptiles and insects were shipped to the Society by its members. Kinnear was then associated with the Brigade Headquarters Bombay as Intelligence Officer. In spite of the new responsibilities on him he succeeded in preparing and presenting a pamphlet on the 'Animals of Mesopotamia' which was circulated among the officers and men serving with the Expeditionary Force. It became a frequent book of reference and proved a great help for those who were collecting specimens" Bombay Natural History Society pp. 24-25. Soldiers and officers alike used the guide to collect a reported 259 mammal species. Provenance: Francis E. W. Venning with his inscription to the front wrapper and notes to the margins. Venning served in the Indian army until 1933 rising to the position of Brigade Commander of the Peshawar brigade on the north west frontier. He was also an ornithologist and zoologist after whom the species of snake Hebius venningi was named. The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society Volume 27 records that he collected specimens from Hamar Lake and the Euphrates and next to the entry for Corvus monedula collaris in this copy there is a note saying there were "large flocks of rooks in December about Hamar Lake" p. 9. The notes also mention Kut Al Amara and Sheikh Sa'ad major battles in the region in the First World War. Octavo. Original light blue paper wrappers wire-stitched as issued front wrapper lettered in black rear wrapper stamped with printer's vignette in black. Wrappers foxed rusting at staples small chip and central crease to front wrapper contents bright: a very good copy. Bombay Natural History Society "N. B. Kinnear Ornithologist across Continents" Hornbill 2016. unknown