NEW YORK (AP).- A rare first edition of John James Audubon’s sumptuously illustrated “The Birds of America,” depicting more than 400 life-size North American species in four monumental volumes, is going on the auction block for an estimated $7 million to $10 million. Considered a masterpiece of ornithology art, the 3½ -foot-tall books feature hand-colored prints of all the species known to Audubon in early 19th century America. Audubon insisted on the book’s large format — printed on the largest hand-made sheets available at the time — because of his desire to portray the birds in their actual size and natural habitat. The set, being sold by the heirs of the 4th Duke of Portland, will be auctioned by Christie’s Jan. 20. It will be accompanied by a complete first edition five-volume set of Audubon’s “Ornithological Biography.” They will be on view at Christie’s Rockefeller Center galleries Jan. 14-19.