BUFFON GEORGES-LOUIS LECLERC, COMTE DE (1707-1788) NATURALISTE.

MANUSCRIT with autograph corrections, Le Tyran de la Caroline; 2 1/2 pages in-4. Working manuscript for the Histoire naturelle des Oiseaux, written by his collaborator Abbé Bexon and corrected in Buffon's hand. This chapter was published in volume IV of the Histoire naturelle des Oiseaux (1770-1783, pp. 577-579), incorporating corrections and additions by . [Abbé BEXON (Remiremont 1747-1784), was a naturalist; he helped Buffon with his Histoire naturelle des Oiseaux]. "To the character and instinct which Catesby gives to this Carolina bird, we shall not hesitate to make it the same species with that of the Pipiri of St. Domingue: same boldness, same courage, and same natural habits, but the red crown which this one wears on the top of the head distinguishes it, as well as the manner of placing its nest; which it makes all in the open, on shrubs or bushes, and ordinarily on sassafras; on the contrary the Pipiri hides its nest or even buries it in holes in trees."... An autograph note by Isidore GEOFFROY SAINT-HILAIRE about this manuscript is attached (1 p. small in-4): "There have been, in the printing, some changes. It should be noted that Buffon only announced the collaboration of Abbé Bexon in his work at the head of volume VII, and for this volume and the two following ones, in the writing of which Montbeillard remained a stranger. The fragment opposite proves that Bexon helped Buffon well before vol. VII, but probably first as a secretary "...