TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MAN, ULISSE ALDROVANDI,

beginning the publication of his works

with Ornithology.

A horizontal ornamental woodcut band featuring symmetrical scrolling foliate and floral motifs.

By Ascanio Persio. Ascanio Persio (1554–1610) was a noted Italian humanist, philologist, and professor of Greek.

Aldrovandi, to you alone Nature, the giver of all, grants
the knowledge of all things she has brought forth.
Do you release the birds to be seen before all else,
so that your glory may fly more swiftly to every corner?
original Greek: "Ἀλδοβράνδε, φύσις τῷ πανδώτειρα δίδωσιν / Ἴδμον' ἔμεν πάντων... Σοῦ κλέος ὡς πτήση θᾶττον ἴχη σχεδάων;"

Translated by Giulio Segni. Giulio Segni (Iulius Signius) was a legal scholar and poet who provided Latin translations of the Greek praises for this edition.

Aldrovandi, to whom alone it is granted to know each thing
that provident Mother Nature creates in the world,
do you not send out the birds first, so that with swift wings
they may spread your writings and your honor more quickly?
original Latin: "Aldobrande, datur cui singula noscere soli... Ocyus effundant scripta, decusq; tuum?"

By the same Giulio Segni, Doctor of Both Laws. The title "I.V.D." (Juris Utriusque Doctor) signifies a doctorate in both civil and canon law.

Aldrovandi, if there were as many white Aonian swans
as there are birds which this work describes;
the wonders which your Museum—the likeness
of a miniature world—contains, they could not sufficiently express in song.
The "Aonian swans" are a classical reference to the Muses or inspired poets. The mention of the "Museum" refers to Aldrovandi’s famous "Cabinet of Curiosities" in Bologna, which he considered a microcosmos or "little world."

A large, elaborate horizontal woodcut tailpiece with symmetrical scrollwork, central medallions containing faces or shields, and stylized foliage and cornucopias.