Buffon, Bird Illustrations, 1780, Hand-Colored Prints, Set of 2

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These hand-colored engravings are various bird illustrations published by buffon. They are from the work of georges-louis leclerc, comte de … Read more These hand-colored engravings are various bird illustrations published by buffon. They are from the work of georges-louis leclerc, comte de buffon, a renowned french naturalist. These bird illustrations are from his monumental work "histoire naturelle, générale et particulière" (natural history, general and particular), which was published in multiple volumes over several decades in the 18th century. The specific bird prints are from the volumes dedicated to birds ("histoire naturelle des oiseaux"). These volumes were published between 1770 and 1783. The precise publication date for each illustration can vary depending on the volume and edition, but the entire series falls within this time frame. Buffon's "histoire naturelle" is celebrated for its detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations, which were a significant contribution to ornithology and natural history at the time. Here are the detailed s and habitats of the birds depicted in the two additional prints: **(pl. 100):** 1. **le courlis (the curlew)** - a large wader bird with a long, down-curved bill, and mottled brown and white plumage. It is depicted in a grassy landscape with trees. - **habitat:** curlews are found in wetlands, estuaries, and coastal regions across europe, asia, and north america. They prefer habitats like mudflats, marshes, and grasslands. 2. **l'ibis blanc (the sacred ibis)** - a bird with a long, down-curved bill, black head and neck, and white plumage. It is depicted in a landscape with palm trees and a pyramid in the background, indicating its association with ancient egypt. - **habitat:** the sacred ibis is found in sub-saharan africa and historically in egypt. It inhabits wetlands, marshes, riverbanks, and lakeshores. **(pl. 106):** 1. **le petit cormoran (the little cormorant)** - a small cormorant with dark plumage and a white throat. It is depicted floating on water. - **habitat:** the little cormorant is found in south and southeast asia. It inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and coastal waters. 2. **le cormoran (the cormorant)** - a larger cormorant with dark plumage and a white patch on the throat. It is shown standing on a rock near water. - **habitat:** cormorants are widely distributed and found in coastal regions, lakes, and rivers around the world. They are often seen in both marine and freshwater environments. 3. **la frégate (the frigatebird)** - a large seabird with black plumage and a distinctive red throat pouch (in males). It is depicted near the sea with ships in the background. - **habitat:** frigatebirds are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They are pelagic birds, spending most of their time flying over the open sea, and come to land only to breed on remote islands. These illustrations from buffon's work depict the birds in their characteristic poses and environments, emphasizing their natural habitats and unique features. See less