came first major system bird classification based function morphology rather form behaviour willughby 's ''ornithologiae libri tres'' completed john ray sometimes considered mark beginning scientific ornithology ray also worked ''ornithologia'' published posthumously ''synopsis methodica avium et piscium'' ref name white ref earliest list british birds ''pinax rerum naturalium britannicarum'' written christopher merrett authors john ray considered little value ray however value expertise naturalist sir thomas
Natural science Biology Zoology Ornithology