MONTAGU (George). The Sportsman's Directory: or, tractate on gunpowder, founded on a series of experiments: together with some remarks and suggestions on fire-arms. Containing, I. The advantage of small-grained powder. II. The most simple and perfect method of proving its strength. III. The unnecessary expenditure of Government powder. IV. Advantages of a Marine corps of Artillery. V. Cannon and carronades formed contrary to mechanical principles. VI. The principle on which guns burst. Vii. Muskets extremely defective. Viii. The principle of rifle barrels mistaken. IX. Choice of guns for the sportsman, with many useful instructions on the art of shooting flying. X. On Pistols-Outlines of Duelling. To which is added, a table of gun barrels, for the Use of Sportsmen, with their proper Charges and Killing Distances. By George Montagu, Esq.1792

London: Printed for R. Faulder, First edition, 8vo (203 x 125 mm), [4], vii, [1 errata], 152p., with half-title, engraved frontispiece, some light spotting, cont. calf, re-backed, corners re-newed, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, ruled in gilt. George Montagu (1753–1815), English army officer and naturalist. In 1770 he joined the army as an Ensign in the 15th Regiment of Foot and In December 1775 George was promoted to the rank of Captain on the same day that the regiment was ordered to America. He resigned his commission as a Captain in 1777, but eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Wiltshire Militia. This, his first publication, is little known and is rare, he is better known for his pioneering two-volume Ornithological Dictionary; or Alphabetical Synopsis of British Birds of 1802, which for the first time accurately defined the status of Britain's birds. He is remembered today for species such as the Montagu's harrier, named for him. ESTC locating 3 UK copies (BL, Cambridge and St. Andrews), with just 1 copy located in North America (Smithsonian).