Bloomsbury's Private Ornithological and Sporting Library rare book auction is being held in London, today, offering a number of beautiful pieces.

The top lot is Henry Eeles Dresser's 1871-81 vast work, A History of the Birds of Europe, valued at £7,500-10,000.

A work by the artist George Morison Henry Reid, a specialist in natural history paintings, Substantial and Important Collection of Sketches of the Birds of Ceylon, was first published in 1949. The copy here is estimated at £4,000-6,000.

One of the 26 special bindings of Philip Rickman's work A Selection of Bird Paintings and Sketches is on offer for £3,000-5,000. Rickman has signed the work, and it is accompanied by an original watercolour. Rickman has other individual artworks available elsewhere in the sale.

Perhaps the pick of the Field Sports section, Lieutenant General Henry Hope Crealock's work, has been described as 'the best book on Scotch deer-stalking'.

A Collection of Pen-and-ink Sketches of Deer-Stalking in Scotland, North Harris contains some excellent impressions of the pursuit, and will go under the hammer at £800-£1,200.

Bloomsbury auctions can be found at 24 Maddox Street, London.