Set of 16 engraved plates from Buffon’s Oeuvres Complètes, depicting various bird species (Oiseaux), drawn and engraved by Ambroise Tardieu. Three of the plates are beautifully hand-coloured, in period colouring, while the remaining thirteen are printed in fine black line engraving. Each plate titled and numbered, with the species identified below the image (e.g. Le Merle à cravate de Cayenne, Le Moqueur français, Le Merle vert d’Angola, etc.). A delicate and representative selection from this 19th-century Paris edition of Buffon’s celebrated Histoire Naturelle, uniting scientific observation with the refined engraving style of the period. Publisher: P. Dupont, Paris Year: 1830 Plate size: approx. 14 × 9 cm Artist/Engraver: Ambroise Tardieu (1788–1841) Technique: Copperplate engravings, three with contemporary hand colouring Condition: In overall good condition. The three hand-coloured plates are clean and bright. The other thirteen plates show a water stain at the top margin, visible in the photographs, not affecting the engraved areas. Minor age-related toning and small handling signs consistent with age.