The Carolina Parakeet
Following the publication of Audubon’s monumental double-elephant folio Birds of America, this smaller format seven-volume Royal octavo set was published beginning in 1840. Intended to be more affordable and therefore have appeal to a wider audience, it contains 500 hand-colored plates accompanied by Audubon’s descriptive text placing each bird in its natural habitat.
Displayed here are Audubon’s images of the Carolina Parakeet and Passenger Pigeon. Large flocks of each of these birds would have darkened the skies while Audubon sought out examples for his Birds of America and he had ample opportunity to select and acquire ideal specimens. The last known captive Passenger Pigeon, died in 1914, and the last known captive Carolina Parakeet died in 1918, adding to the value of Audubon’s art as a historical record. Both were inhabitants of the Cincinnati Zoo.
John James Audubon (1785-1851).
The Birds of America. New York, Philadelphia: J.J. Audubon; J.B. Chevalier, 1840-44.
Lehigh University Catalog Record: https://asa.lib.lehigh.edu/asa/Record/259201
A version of this text has been digitized and is available through The Internet Archive.
Digitized Version
Catesby published the first work to describe the flora and fauna of the Americas. He left England and settled in Virginia in 1710, not returning until 1719 with extensive natural history collections. Catesby returned to America in 1722, this time settling in the Carolinas, until his 1726 return to England to write the present text that includes art etched from his own paintings. Although primarily a botanist, Catesby was active in the period before natural history was divided into various specialized scientific disciplines, including ornithology. He is credited with being the first to document American birds in their natural habitats through the use of hand-colored illustrations.
Displayed here is Catesby’s Carolina Parakeet. By comparison to Audubon’s colorful engaged flock (to your right), this image shows a stiff specimen. In the 18th century, this bird likely numbered in the millions with a range that extended from New England south to Florida. Its numbers dwindled during the 19th century when farmers took action against large flocks that decimated their fields. It was observed in the wild in 1910 and the last-known Carolina Parakeet died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918.
Mark Catesby (1683-1749).
The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands. London: Printed at the expence of the author, 1731-43.
Lehigh University Catalog Record: https://asa.lib.lehigh.edu/asa/Record/265257
A version of this text has been digitized and is available through The Internet Archive.