Large-Bill Puffin, 1868, Print

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: Antique bird print titled 'Fratercula Glacialis'. Old bird print depicting the Large-Bill Puffin. This print originates from 'The new … Read more : Antique bird print titled 'Fratercula Glacialis'. Old bird print depicting the Large-Bill Puffin. This print originates from 'The new and heretofore unfigured species of the birds of North America', published 1866-1869. This spectacular large folio lithograph is from Daniel Giraud Elliot's The New and Heretofore Unfigured Species of the Birds of North America. The work was published in New York for the author between 1866 and 1869. Each lithograph features original hand-coloring. The plates were predmoninantly executed by Bowen of Philadelphia after originals by Elliot and celebrated natural history artist, Joseph Wolf. It is believed only 200 copies of this work were ever printed. The work generally depicted life-size renderings of birds that were not previously illustrated by Alexander Wilson or John James Audubon. It had a particular focus on birds of the American West including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and the Rocky Mountains. It also depicts some birds from the Alaskand and Arctic regions. Many of birds were drawn from birds brought back from government-led expeditions in the West as well as private sources including John Xantus de Vesey. Elliot’s lithographs are some of the most valuable American bird plates. Elliot was a prominent American zoologist. He was one of the founders of the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the American Ornithologists’ Union. Elliot was also curator of zoology at Chicago’s Field Museum. In the preface, Elliot describes his intentions for the work: "Since the time of Wilson and Audubon, no work has been published upon American Ornithology, containing life-size representations of the various species that have been discovered since the labors of those great men were finished. The valuable productions of Cassin, as well as the revised edition of the ninth volume of the Pacific Rail Road Report, the joint labor of Messrs. Baird, Cassin and Lawrence had indeed appeared . but no attempt had been made to continue the works of the first great American naturalists in a similar manner . It was, therefore, with the desire to contribute . towards the elucidation of the comparatively little known species of the Birds of North America, their habits and economy, as well as to render their forms familiar so far as life-size representation of them might serve to do, that I undertook the present publication." Puffins are any of three species of small alcids (auks) in the bird genus Fratercula. These are pelagic seabirds that feed primarily by diving in the water. They breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands, nesting in crevices among rocks or in burrows in the soil. Two species, the tufted puffin and horned puffin, are found in the North Pacific Ocean, while the Atlantic puffin is found in the North Atlantic Ocean. All puffin species have predominantly black or black and white plumage, a stocky build, and large beaks that get brightly colored during the breeding season. They shed the colorful outer parts of their bills after the breeding season, leaving a smaller and duller beak. Their short wings are adapted for swimming with a flying technique underwater. In the air, they beat their wings rapidly (up to 400 times per minute) in swift flight, often flying low over the ocean's surface. (Source: Wikipedia) Artists and Engravers: Drawn from nature by J. Wolf. Published by Bowen & Co. Condition: Very good, general age-related toning. Please study image carefully. See less