The Red-Whiskered Bulbul, 1788, Paper

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An old engraving depicting the red-whiskered bulbul, also known by the scientific name Pycnonotus Jocosus. This bird species, native to … Read more An old engraving depicting the red-whiskered bulbul, also known by the scientific name Pycnonotus Jocosus. This bird species, native to Asia, is renowned for its distinctive appearance and has been mentioned in various scientific works dating back to the 18th century. The engraving itself seems to be from the publication "A Voyage Round the World; But More Particularly to the North-West Coast of America: Performed in 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788, in the King George and Queen Charlotte, Captains Portlock and Dixon" by George Dixon, published in 1789. The text in the image provides historical context about the taxonomy of the red-whiskered bulbul, including its initial by Carl Linnaeus and the later classification changes. It is interesting to note that the bird was once classified under the genus Lanius and later reclassified to the genus Pycnonotus. The specific epithet "jocosus" suggests a playful (joke) or merry characteristic, referencing the bird's vocal nature. It's a fine example of historical zoological illustrations, which played a crucial role in the study and documentation of wildlife before the advent of modern photography. These illustrations were vital for scientific communication and the sharing of knowledge between scholars across the world. See less