Diverse Avian Species: An early 18th-Century Ornithological Study, 1811

About this sheet

The image is an ornithological print from the early 19th century. It depicts various species of birds perched on branches. The birds are illustrated in vibrant colors with a high level of detail, indicative of the style of natural history illustrations of that period. The species shown include a variety of land birds from the order Piciformes, which is suggested by the term "Picae" in the title.

Each bird is numbered and likely corresponds to a list of species names and descriptions in the associated text of Rees' 'The Cyclopaedia'. The print mentions that it was published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown of Paternoster Row on March 1st, 1811. The engraver is named as Milton, and the artist as Sydenham Teast Edwards, both of whom contributed to the visual aspect of the Cyclopaedia.

This type of print would have been used as an educational tool and reference for scholars and enthusiasts of ornithology during the 19th century, providing a visual complement to the written descriptions found in the Cyclopaedia. The detailed rendering of the birds and the accuracy of their portrayal would have been essential for the scientific and educational value of the work.

This original antique print originates from Rees’ ‘The Cyclopaedia. or, Universal Dictionary opf Arts, Sciences and Literature’. This important 19th-century encyclopedic work was published in serialized form from 1802 to 1820. The entire Cyclopaedia consisted of 39 volumes of text, 5 volumes of plates and an atlas. Engraved by Milton after Sydenham Teast Edwards.

On the print there are handcolored Hummingbirds, Creepers and more.