An early and important contribution to ornithology, Albin’s work mostly contains native British species but also includes strays from more distant regions, which were either brought to his attention by fellow enthusiasts or exhibited in taverns as curiosities. The title to this work indicates that all of the plates were coloured by Albin and his daughter, and in Albin's notes to the reader he states:, As for the Paintings, they are all done from the Life, with all the Exactness I could either with my own Hand, or my Daughters, whom I have taught to draw and paint after the Life.