Maryland Yellow-throat, 121
Martin, Purple, 115
May apple, 322
May-bush, 309
Meadville, 182
Melia azedarach, 330
Meleagris Gallopavo, 1, 33
Methodists, camp-meeting of, 31
Miegia macrosperma, 149
Mississippi, Flood of the, 156
—— Improvements in the navigation of the, 130
Mocking Bird, 108
Moth mullein, 307
Mouse, Field, 302
Mulberry, Spanish, 259
Mullein, moth, 307
Muscadine, wild, 235
Muscicapa Bonapartii, 27
—— cærulea, 431
—— Ruticilla, 202
—— Selbii, 46
—— Traillii, 236
—— Tyrannus, 403
Nashville Warbler, 450
Naturalist, the eccentric, 455
Navigation of the Mississippi, 130
Niagara, 362
Nyssa tomentosa, 75
Oak, Black, 426
—— Swamp, 125
—— White, 261
Ohio, description of the, 29
—— floods of the, 156
Olive, Wild, 123
Orchard Oriole, 221
Oriole, Baltimore, 66
—— Orchard, 221
Osprey, 415
Ostrya virginiana, 204
Owl, Barred, 242
—— Great Horned, 313
—— Little Screech, 486
Painted Finch, 279
Painter, the original, 410
Papaw tree, 21
Partridge, Virginian, 388
Parus bicolor, 199
Parrot, Carolina, 135
Passenger Pigeon, 319
Pens for catching game, 12
Perdix virginiana, 388
Persimon, 446
Phlox aristata, 361
—— subulata, 409
Phytolacca decandra, 179
Picus auratus, 191
—— erythrocephalus, 141
—— principalis, 381
Pig-nut Hickory, 465
Pigeon Hawk, 466
Pigeon, Passenger, 319
Pine, Jersey, 489
—— White, 201
Pink Root, 361
Pinus inops, 489
—— pendula, 454
—— strobus, 201
Podophyllum peltatum, 332
Pokeweed, American, 170
Pole-cat, 310
Populus candicans, 407
Porcelia triloba, 21
Pot-pie, 39
Prairie, the, 81
Prairie Titlark, 408
—— Warbler, 76
Prickly Pear, 475
Pride of China, 330
Prothonotary Warbler, 22
Prunus Chicasa, 282
Psittacus carolinensis, 135
Purple Finch, 24
—— Grakle, 35
—— Martin, 115
Pyrus Botryapium, 309
Quercus aquatica, 125
—— Prinus, 261
Quiscalus versicolor, 35
Quercitron, 426
Rana taurina, 367
Rathbone Warbler, 333
Red Bird, 232
Red Cedar, 230
Red Larch, 26
Red Maple, 352, 287
Red-headed Woodpecker, 141
—— shouldered Hawk, 296
—— tailed Hawk, 265
—— winged Starling, 348
Redstart, American, 202
Republican Swallow, 353
Regulators, 105
Regulus Cuvierii, 288
Rice Bird, 283
Roscoe's Yellow-throat, 124
Rosa Carolina, 472
Rubus villosus, 152
Ruby-throated Humming-bird, 248
Ruffed Grouse, 211
Sarsaparilla, Wild, 380
Sawyers and Planters, 130
Sciurus cinereus, 247
Screech Owl, 485
Schisandra coccinea, 380
Scipio and the Bear, 479
Seaside Finch, 470
Selby's Flycatcher, 46
Service, 309
Shrike, Loggerhead, 300
Silver-bell Tree, 12
Smilax rotundifolia, 302
Snow-bird, 72
Snow-drop Tree, 123
Solitary Fly-catcher, 147
Song Sparrow, 126
Spanish Coffee, 181
Sparrow, Song, 126
—— Swamp, 331
—— White-throated, 42
Spider-wort, 154
Spigelia marilandica, 361
Squirrel, Grey, 247
Stanley Hawk, 186
Strix Asio, 485
—— nebulosa, 242
—— Virginiana, 313
Still Hunting, 335
Stuartia malacodendron, 95
Summer Red Bird, 232
Swallow, Republican, 353
—— White-bellied, 490
Swallow-tailed Hawk, 368
Swamp, Great Pine, 52
Swamp Oak, 125
—— Sparrow, 331
—— Spice, 451
Sweet Gum, 238
Sylvia æstiva, 476
—— Americana, 78
—— autumnalis, 447
—— azurea, 255
—— carbonate, 308
—— castanea, 358
—— Childrenii, 180
—— discolor, 76
—— formosa, 196
—— icterocephala, 306
—— maculosa, 260
—— pensilis, 434
—— Protonotarius, 22
—— rara, 258
—— rubricapilla, 450
—— Rathbonia, 333
—— Roscoe, 124
—— Solitaria, 102
—— Trichas, 12
—— vermivora, 177
—— Vigorsii, 153
Tanagra æstiva, 232
Tetrao Umbellus, 211
Thistle, Common, 176
Thrush, Hermit, 303
—— Louisiana Water, 99
—— Wood, 372
Timber, preparation of, 54
Titlark, Brown, 49
—— Prairie, 408
Towhe Bunting, 150
Traill's flycatcher, 236
Traveller and Pole-cat, 310
Trochilus colubris, 248
Troglodytes ædon, 427
—— Bewickii, 96
—— ludoviciana, 399
—— palustris, 500
Titmouse, Crested, 199
Tradescantia virginica, 154
Trumpet-flower, 254
—— Ramping, 334
Tulip-Tree, 71
Tupelo, 75
Turdus ludovicianus, 99
—— minor, 303
—— mustelinus, 372
—— polyglottus, 108
Turkey, 1, 33
Turtle Dove, Carolina, 91
Tyrant Fly-catcher, 403
Ursus Americanus, 480
Vaccinium frondosum, 129
Vireo noveboracensis, 328
—— solitarius, 147
Virginian Hornbeam, 204
—— Partridge, 388
Vitis rotundifolia, 235
Vigors's Warbler, 153
Viburnum prunifolium, 123
Warbler, Autumnal, 447
—— Azure, 255
—— Bay-breasted, 358
—— Black-and-yellow, 260
—— Blue-green, 258
—— Blue Yellow-backed, 78
—— Blue-winged Yellow, 102
—— Carbonated, 308
—— Chestnut-sided, 306
—— Children's, 180
—— Kentucky, 196
—— Nashville, 450
—— Prairie, 76
—— Prothonotary, 22
—— Rathbone, 333
—— Vigors's, 153
—— Yellow-pole, 476
—— Yellow-breasted, 121
—— Yellow-throated, 434
—— Worm-eating, 177
Washington, Bird of, 58
Weak Fish, 421
White-bellied Swallow, 490
White-eyed Fly-catcher, 328
White-headed Eagle, 160
White-tailed Eagle, 64
White Oak, 261
White Pine, 201
White-throated Sparrow, 42
Whip-poor-will, 422
Wild Turkey, 1, 33
Wilson, Mr Alexander, 438
Winter Hawk, 364
Woodpecker, Ivory-billed, 341
—— Golden-winged, 191
Woodpecker, Red-headed, 141
Wood Thrush, 372
Worm-eating Warbler, 177
Worm-grass, 361
Wren, Great Carolina, 399
—— Bewick's, 96
—— House, 427
—— Marsh, 500
Xanthium Strumarium, 140
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 18
Yellow-breasted Warbler, 121
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 121
Yellow-throat, Roscoe's, 124
Yellow-throated Warbler, 434
Zea Mays, 41
NEILL & CO. PRINTERS,
Old Fishmarket, Edinburgh.
UNDER THE SPECIAL PATRONAGE
OF
Her Most Excellent Majesty,
QUEEN ADELAIDE.
THE
BIRDS OF AMERICA,
ENGRAVED FROM
DRAWINGS
MADE IN
THE UNITED STATES AND THEIR TERRITORIES.
BY JOHN JAMES AUDUBON,
F. R. SS. L. & E.
FELLOW OF THE LINNEAN AND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF LONDON; MEMBER OF
THE LYCEUM OF NEW YORK, THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF PARIS, THE
WERNERIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH; HONORARY MEMBER OF
THE SCOTTISH ACADEMY OF PAINTING, SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE, &C.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR,
AND TO BE SEEN AT
MR R. HAVELL'S JUN. THE ENGRAVER,
77. OXFORD STREET, LONDON.
MDCCCXXXI.
NEILL & CO. PRINTERS,
Old Fishmarket, Edinburgh.
PROSPECTUS.
To those who have not seen any portion of the Author's Collection of
Original Drawings, it may be proper to state, that their superiority
consists in the accuracy as to proportion and outline, and the variety
and truth of the attitudes and positions of the figures, resulting from
peculiar means discovered and employed by the Author, and his attentive
examination of the objects portrayed, during a long series of years.
The Author has not contented himself, as others have done, with single
profile views, but in very many instances has grouped his figures,
so as to represent the originals at their natural avocations, and has
placed them on branches of trees, decorated with foliage, blossoms and
fruits, or amidst plants of numerous species. Some are seen pursuing
their prey through the air, searching for food amongst the leaves and
herbage, sitting on their nests, or feeding their young; whilst others,
of a different nature, swim, wade, or glide in or over their allotted
element. The Insects, Reptiles and Fishes, that form the food of these
birds, have now and then been introduced into the drawings. In every
instance where a difference of plumage exists between the sexes, both the
Male and the Female have been represented; and the extraordinary changes
which some species undergo, in their progress from youth to maturity,
have been depicted. The Plants are all copied from Nature; and as many
of the originals are remarkable for their beauty, their usefulness, or
their rarity, the Botanist cannot fail to look upon them with delight.
The particulars of the Plan of the Work may be reduced to the following
heads:—
1. The size of the work is Double Elephant Folio, the paper
being of the finest quality.
2. The engravings are, in every instance, of the exact
dimensions of the drawings, which, without any exception,
represent the birds and other objects of their natural size.
3. The Plates are coloured in the most careful manner, from
the original drawings.
4. The work appears in Numbers, of which five are published
annually, each Number consisting of five Plates.
5. The price of each number is Two Guineas, payable on delivery.
Persons desirous of becoming Subscribers, are requested to apply to
MR AUDUBON,
Or to Mr R. HAVELL junior, Engraver and Publisher, 77. Oxford Street,
London, with whom specimens of the work may be seen, or to any of the
following agents:—
Messrs TREUTTEL, WURTZ and Co., Soho Square, London.
Messrs ROBINSON, Liverpool.
Mr T. SOWLER, Manchester.
Mr E. CHARNLEY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Messrs POOL and BOOTH, Chester.
Messrs BEILBY, KNOTT and BEILBY, Birmingham; and
Mr ADAM BLACK, North Bridge, Edinburgh.
The First Volume, consisting of One Hundred Plates, representing
Ninety-nine species of Birds, of many of which there are several Figures,
is now published. It is expected that other Three Volumes, of equal
size, will complete the work.
CONTENTS
OF
VOL. I. OF THE BIRDS OF AMERICA.
_Plates published in 1827._
1. The Wild Turkey. Male, Meleagris Gallopavo. _Linn._
2. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus. _Bonap._
3. Prothonotary Warbler, Sylvia Protonotarius. _Lath._
4. Purple Finch, Fringilla purpurea. _Gmel._
5. Bonaparte's Fly-catcher, Muscicapa Bonapartii. _Aud._
6. Wild Turkey. Female, Meleagris Gallopavo. _Linn._
7. Purple Grakle, Quiscalus versicolor. _Vieill._
8. White-throated Sparrow, Fringilla pennsylvanica. _Lath._
9. Selby's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Selbii. _Aud._
10. Brown Titlark, Anthus Spinoletta. _Bonap._
11. Bird of Washington, Falco Washingtonii. _Aud._
12. Baltimore Oriole, Icterus Baltimore. _Daud._
13. Snow Bird, Fringilla hyemalis. _Linn._
14. Prairie Warbler, Sylvia discolor. _Vieill._
15. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, Sylvia americana. _Lath._
16. Great-footed Hawk, Falco peregrinus. _Gmel._
17. Carolina Turtle Dove, Columba carolinensis. _Linn._
18. Bewick's Wren, Troglodytes Bewickii. _Aud._
19. Louisiana Water Thrush, Turdus ludovicianus. _Aud._
20. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, Sylvia solitaria. _Wils._
21. Mocking Bird, Turdus polyglottus. _Linn._
22. Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea. _Linn._
23. Maryland Yellow-throat, Sylvia Trichas. _Lath._
24. Roscoe's Yellow-throat, Sylvia Roscoe. _Aud._
25. Song Sparrow, Fringilla melodia. _Wils._
1828.
26. Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis. _Linn._
27. Red-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythrocephalus. _Linn._
28. Solitary Fly-catcher, Vireo solitarius. _Vieill._
29. Towhe Bunting, Fringilla erythrophthalma. _Linn._
30. Vigors's Warbler, Sylvia Vigorsii. _Aud._
31. White-headed Eagle, Falco leucocephalus. _Linn._
32. Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. _Bon._
33. American Goldfinch, Fringilla tristis. _Linn._
34. Worm-eating Warbler, Sylvia vermivora. _Lath._
35. Children's Warbler, Sylvia Childrenii. _Aud._
36. Stanley Hawk, Falco Stanleii. _Aud._
37. Golden-winged Woodpecker, Picus auratus. _Linn._
38. Kentucky Warbler, Sylvia formosa. _Wils._
39. Crested Titmouse, Parus bicolor. _Linn._
40. American Redstart, Muscicapa Ruticilla. _Linn._
41. Ruffed Grouse, Tetrao Umbellus. _Linn._
42. Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius. _Bonap._
43. Cedar Bird, Bombycilla carolinensis. _Briss._
44. Summer Red Bird, Tanagra æstiva. _Gmel._
45. Traill's Flycatcher, Sylvia Traillii. _Aud._
46. Barred Owl, Strix nebulosa. _Gmel._
47. Ruby-throated Humming Bird, Trochilus colubris. _Linn._
48. Azure Warbler, Sylvia azurea. _Steph._
49. Blue-green Warbler, Sylvia rara. _Lath._
50. Black-and-yellow Warbler, Sylvia maculosa. _Lath._
1829.
51. Red-tailed Hawk, Falco borealis. _Gmel._
52. Chuckwill's Widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis. _Briss._
53. Painted Finch, Fringilla ciris. _Temm._
54. Rice Bird, Icterus agripennis. _Bonap._
55. Cuvier's Regulus, Regulus Cuvierii. _Aud._
56. Red-shouldered Hawk, Falco lineatus. _Gmel._
57. Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus. _Linn._
58. Hermit Thrush, Turdus minor. _Gmel._
59. Chestnut-sided Warbler, Sylvia icterocephala. _Lath._
60. Carbonated Warbler, Sylvia carbonata. _Aud._
61. Great Horned Owl, Strix virginiana. _Gmel._
62. Passenger Pigeon, Columba migratoria. _Linn._
63. White-eyed Flycatcher, Vireo noveboracensis. _Bonap._
64. Swamp Sparrow, Fringilla palustris. _Wils._
65. Rathbone Warbler, Sylvia Rathbonii. _Aud._
66. Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Picus principalis. _Linn._
67. Red-winged Starling, Icterus phœniceus. _Daud._
68. Republican Swallow, Hirundo fulva. _Vieill._
69. Bay-breasted Warbler, Sylvia castanea. _Wils._
70. Henslow's Bunting, Emberiza Henslowii. _Aud._
71. Winter Hawk, Falco hyemalis. _Gmel._
72. Swallow-tailed Hawk, Falco furcatus. _Linn._
73. Wood Thrush, Turdus mustelinus. _Gmel._
74. Indigo Bird, Fringilla cyanea. _Wils._
75. Le Petit Caporal, Falco temerarius. _Aud._
1830.
76. Virginian Partridge, Perdix virginiana. _Lath._
77. Belted Kingsfisher, Alcedo Alcyon. _Linn._
78. Great Carolina Wren, Troglodytes ludovicianus. _Bonap._
79. Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus. _Briss._
80. Prairie Titlark, Anthus pipiens. _Aud._
81. Fish Hawk, Falco Haliäetos. _Linn._
82. Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus. _Wils._
83. House Wren, Troglodytes ædon. _Vieill._
84. Blue-grey Flycatcher, Muscicapa cærulea. _Lath._
85. Yellow-throated Warbler, Sylvia pensilis. _Lath._
86. Black Warrior, Falco Harlani. _Aud._
87. Florida Jay, Corvus floridanus. _Bart._
88. Autumnal Warbler, Sylvia autumnalis. _Wils._
89. Nashville Warbler, Sylvia rubricapilla. _Wils._
90. Black-and-white Creeper, Certhia varia. _Aud._
91. Broad-winged Hawk, Falco pennsylvanicus. Lath_._
92. Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius. _Linn._
93. Sea-side Finch, Fringilla maritima. _Wils._
94. Bay-winged Bunting, Fringilla graminea. _Gmel._
95. Yellow-poll Warbler, Sylvia æstiva. _Lath._
96. Columbian Jay, Corvus Bullockii. _Wag._
97. Mottled Owl, Strix Asio. _Linn._
98. White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo bicolor. _Vieill._
99. Cow-pen Bird, Icterus pecoris. _Bonap._
100. Marsh Wren, Troglodytes palustris. _Bonap._
EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS.
_Extract from a Report made to the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris._
By BARON CUVIER.
L'Academie m'a chargé de lui rendre un compte verbal de l'ouvrage qui
lui a été communiqué dans une de ses précédentes séances par M. Audubon,
et qui a pour objet les oiseaux de l'Amerique Septentrionale. On peut
le caractériser en peu de mots, en disant que c'est le monument le plus
magnifique qui ait encore été élevé à l'ornithologie.
L'auteur, né à la Louisiane, et qui s'est adonné dès sa jeunesse à
la peinture, est venu, il y a 25 ans, se perfectionner dans son art à
l'école de David. Retourné dans son pays, il n'a cru pouvoir faire de
son talent un usage plus utile, que de le consacrer à la representation
des productions les plus brillantes de cet hémisphère. L'observation
scrupuleuse nécessaire à des images telles qu'il voulait les faire, l'a
bientôt rendu naturaliste.
C'est en sa double qualité d'artiste et de savant, qu'il a produit
l'ouvrage qui a été mis sous les yeux de l'Academie. Vous avez été frappés
d'un format égal ou supérieur a ce qui a été publié de plus grand en ce
genre, et qui approche des doubles planches de la description de l'Egypte.
Cette dimension extraordinaire lui a permis de rendre des espèces de
la taille de l'aigle et du tétras dans leur grandeur naturelle, et de
multiplier celles qui sont moins volumineuses de manière à les représenter
dans toutes les attitudes.
Il a pu aussi représenter sur les mêmes planches, et de grandeur
naturelle, les végétaux sur lesquels ces oiseaux se tiennent le plus
habituellement, et donner dans le plus grand détail leurs nids et leurs
œufs.
L'exécution de ces planches, si remarquables par leur grandeur, nous
paraît avoir également bien réussi, sous le rapport du dessin, de la
gravure et du coloris, et quoiqu'il soit difficile à l'enluminure de
rendre les reliefs avec autant d'effet, qu'à la peinture proprement dite,
ce n'est pas un inconvenient pour des ouvrages d'histoire naturelle;
les naturalistes préfèrent la couleur propre des objects, à ces teintes
accidentelles, résultat des diverses inflexions de la lumière, nécessaires
pour compléter la vérité pittoresque, mais étrangères et nuisibles même
à la vérité scientifique.
M. Audubon a déjà préparé quatre cents dessins qui contiennent à-peu
pres deux mille figures, et il se propose de les publier successivement,
s'il est encouragé par les amateurs. Un ouvrage conçu et exécuté d'après
un plan si vaste, n'a qu'un défaut, et sans doute que sur celui-là
mes auditeurs m'ont déjà prévenu, c'est que sa cherté le rend presqu'
inaccessible à la plupart de ceux auxquels il serait le plus nécessaire.
Toutefois on ne peut pas dire que le prix en soit exorbitant. Une
livraison de cinq planches se paie deux guinées; chaque planche revient
donc à 10 ou 11 fr., et comme il n'en paraîtra que cinq livraisons par
an, la dépense annuelle de son acquisition ne serait pas énorme. Il
est à désirer du moins, dans l'intérêt de l'art autant que dans celui
de la science, que les grands dépôts publics, et les propriétaires qui
aiment à enrichir leurs bibliothèques d'ouvrages de luxe, veuillent se
le procurer.
Autrefois c'étaient les naturalistes Européens qui étaient obligés de
faire connaître à l'Amérique les richesses qu'elle possédait; maintenant
les Mitchill, les Harlan, les Wilson, les Charles Bonaparte, rendent avec
usure à l'Europe ce que l'Amérique en a reçu. L'histoire des oiseaux des
Etats-Unis de Wilson égalait déjà en élégance nos plus beaux ouvrages
d'ornithologie. Si celui de M. Audubon se termine, il faudra convenir
que ce sera l'Amérique qui, pour la magnificence de l'exécution, aura
surpassé l'Ancien Monde.
_Extract from a Review by W. SWAINSON, Esq. F. R. S. F. L. S. &c.,
published in the Natural History Magazine, for May 1828._
M. Audubon, if I have been rightly informed, is a citizen of America,
descended from French parents. Devotedly attached to the study of nature,
no less than to painting, he seems to have pursued both with a genius and
an ardour, of which, in their united effects, there is no parallel. His
two ornithological narratives, printed in one of the Scotch journals,
are as valuable to the scientific world, as they are delightful to the
general reader. They give us a rich foretaste of what we may hope and
expect from such a man. There is a freshness and an originality about
these essays, which can only be compared to the animated biographies
of Wilson. Both these men contemplated Nature as she really is, not as
she is represented in books; they sought her in her sanctuaries. The
shore, the mountain, and the forest were alternately their study, and
there they drank the pure stream of knowledge at its fountain-head.
The observations of such men, are the corner-stones of every attempt to
discover the system of nature. Their writings will be consulted when our
favourite theories shall have passed into oblivion. Ardently, therefore,
do I hope, that M. Audubon will alternately become the historian and the
painter of his favourite objects, that he will never be made a convert
to any system, but instruct and delight us as a true and unprejudiced
biographer of nature.
I am now to speak of M. Audubon more particularly as a painter. I shall,
therefore, view the work before me as a specimen of the fine arts, and
judge of it by those rules which constitute pictorial criticism. The size
of the plates exceeds any thing of the kind I have ever seen or heard
of; they are no less than 3 feet 3 inches long by 2 feet 2 inches broad.
On this vast surface every bird is represented in its full dimensions.
Large as is the paper, it is sometimes (as in the Male Wild Turkey, pl. 1.)
barely sufficient for the purpose. In other cases, it enables the
painter to group his figures, in the most beautiful and varied attitudes,
on the trees or plants they frequent. Some are feeding, others darting,
pursuing, or capturing their prey: all have life and animation. The
plants, fruits and flowers which enrich the scene are alone still. These
latter, from their critical accuracy, are as valuable to the botanist
as the birds are to the ornithologist.
Such is the general character of the work, but it is of a nature to
demand a more particular notice. What I have said might, in a general
way, be repeated of others. This, as I shall presently shew, is perfectly
unique, both in its conception and execution. To explain this, I shall
call the reader's attention to the following plates, or rather pictures.
_Turtle-Doves of Carolina._ (Plate 17.) It is quite impossible to treat
this subject with greater truth or delicacy of conception, than it has
here received. In a thicket of the beautiful _Stuartia Malacodendron_,
(whose white blossoms are emblematic, like the dove, of chasteness and
purity), a pair of turtles have built their nest. The female is sitting,
and, their union being consummated, she is receiving the caresses of
the male. Above is another pair their love is in its infancy. The male,
seated on the same branch with his intended partner, is eagerly pressing
forwards to reach a "stolen kiss," but the head of the female is coyly
turned. Her secret satisfaction is, however, expressed by the agitation
of her wings and tail. If the artist had never painted any picture but
this, it would secure him the highest meed of praise, as long as truth
and nature continued the same.
_Mocking Birds defending their nest from a Rattlesnake._ (Plate 21.) The
same poetic sentiment and masterly execution characterizes this picture.
The formidable reptile has driven the female bird from her eggs, which
he intends to suck. Unable to defend them while sitting, she clings
to the side, and, "with outstretched wings and forward breast," seems
prepared to strike her bill into the very jaws of her enemy. Her cries
have brought two others of her race to the spot; but these, not feeling
a parent's solicitude, "come not boldly" to the attack. On the courage
of the male bird the fate of the conflict seems to depend. He is close to
the serpent, aiming a deadly stroke at its eye, while his own is lighted
up with a determination and courage, which seem to bespeak anticipated
victory. Every part of the story is told with exquisite feeling, the
artist has thrown his greatest skill in the figure of the female bird,
and it is uncommonly fine.
It will depend on the powerful and the wealthy, whether Britain shall
have the honour of fostering such a magnificent undertaking. It will
be a lasting monument, not only to the memory of its author, but to
those who employ their wealth in patronizing genius, and in supporting
the national credit. If any publication deserves such a distinction,
it is surely this, inasmuch as it exhibits a perfection in the higher
attributes of zoological painting, never before attempted. To represent
the passions and the feelings of birds, might, until now, have been
well deemed chimerical. Rarely, indeed, do we see their outward forms
represented with any thing like nature. In my estimation, not more than
three painters ever lived who could draw a bird. Of these the lamented
Barrabaud, of whom France may be justly proud, was the chief. He has
long passed away; but his mantle has, at length, been recovered in the
forests of America.
NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS.