Elphick Collection

Strigops habroptilus, kakapo
Watercolour by John Gerrard Keulemans (c. 1887-1905), from Sir Walter Lawry Bullers A history of the Birds of New Zealand (1887-88)

Pharomachrus moccino, resplendent quetzal
Plate from John Goulds The Birds of New Guinea, (1875-1888). Hand coloured lithograph

Cygnus atratus, black swan
Watercolour 351 by the Port Jackson Painter from the Watling Collection

Bubo coromandus, dusky eagle owl
A watercolour of the dusky eagle owl (Bubo coromandus) by an unknown artist, (c. 1840), part of the Lord Ashton Collection held in the Natural History Museum, London

Anser brachyrhynchus, pink-footed goose
Watercolour and ink by John Gould (c. 1865). An example of a prelliminary work by Gould in preparation for an illustration which would be published in one of his books

Egretta garzetta, little egret
A watercolour by James Hope Stewart, c. 1825-35. From Sir William Jardines The Naturalists Library

Ceratagymna elata, yellow-casqued hornbill
Watercolour and gouache John Gerrard Keulemans

Upupa epops, common hoopoe
Plate 55, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Psephotus dissimilis, hooded parrot
Plate 14 from Ferdinand Lucas Bauers zoological watercolours and drawings observed during Captain Matthew Flinders circumnavigational survey of Australia (Investigator 1801-1803)

Dacelo novaeguineae, laughing kookaburra
Drawing No. 57, watercolour by George Raper (1792) from The Raper Collection

Erithacus rubecula, European robin
Watercolour by Paul Barruel (c. 1970). From Birds The Art of Ornithology by Jonathan Elphick, 2004

Alcedo athhis, common kingfisher
Watercolour by Charles F. Tunnicliffe (c. 1973)

Garrulus glandarius, Eurasian jay
Watercolour by the German ornithologist, hunter and bird collector, Christian Ludwig Landbeck (c. 1833-4)

Motacilla flava, yellow wagtail
Watercolour by Henrik Gr� ld (1924-5)

Dromaius novaehollandiae, emu
Drawing No. 67, watercolour by George Raper (1792) from The Raper Collection

A Medieval nightmare
This hand coloured woodcut showing a human headed bird grappling a man is from Jacobus Meydenbacks Hortus Sanitatis, (1491)

Anastomus lamelligerus, African open-bill
Watercolour and pencil by Claude Gibney Finch-Davies (1918). This species is a member of the stork family and mainly hunts in marshes and wetlands

Walter Rothschilds Necropsittacus borbonicus
Plate 8, a watercolour painting on paper by Henrik Gronvold from Walter Rothschilds Extinct Birds (1907). Art original 56 x 78 cm. Date: 1907

Polyplectron bicalcaratum, grey peacock-pheasant

Cacatua sulphurea, yellow-crested cockatoo
Plate from William Hayes Portraits of Rare and Curious Birds, With Their Descriptions, From the Menagery of Osterley Park, London, (1794)

Corvus corone cornix, hooded (carrion) crow
Plate 30 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

Bubo bubo, Eurasian eagle-owl
Plate 38 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

Dryocopus martius, black woodpecker
Plate 25 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

Himantopus himantopus, black-winged stilt
Large Series plate 62, a watercolour from the John Reeves Collection of Zoological Drawings from Canton, China

Hemignathus obscurus, lesser akialoa

Ara macao, scarlet macaw
Plate 7 from Edward Lears Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae or Parrots (1832). Hand coloured lithograph

Phalaropus lobatus, red-necked phalarope
Ff. 63, watercolour by William Ellis from a collection of sketches of Mammals, Birds and Fish made on Captian James Cooks third voyage (1776-1780)

Ketupa zeylonensis, brown fish owl
Plate 3, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Chrysocolaptes lucidus, greater flame-backed woodpecker
Plate 19, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Loriculus sp. hanging parrot
Large Series plate 28, a watercolour from the John Reeves Collection of Zoological Drawings from Canton, China

Aethia cristatella, crested auklet
Ff. 38, watercolour by William Ellis from a collection of sketches of Mammals, Birds and Fish made on Captian James Cooks third voyage (1776-1780)

Platycercus caledonicus, green rosella
Ff. 16, watercolour by William Ellis from a collection of sketches of Mammals, Birds and Fish made on Captian James Cooks third voyage (1776-1780)

Philomachus pugnax, ruff
Plate 87, hand coloured engraving from Eleazar Albins A Natural History of Birds, (1734)

Ptiloris magnificus, magnificent riflebird

Junglefowl
A watercolour from Giovanni da Udines Raccolta di Uccelli (c. 1850)

Struthio camelus, ostrich
Watercolour by Sarah Stone (1788) from the collection of Sir Ashton Lever

Goura cristata, western crowned pigeon
Watercolour by Sarah Stone (1788) from the collection of Sir Ashton Lever

Phoenicopterus ruber ruber, greater flamingo
Watercolour by Sarah Stone (1788) from the collection of Sir Ashton Lever

Cepphus grylle, black guillemot
Plate 219 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1834-35), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

Lophura leucomelana, kalij pheasant
A watercolour by Lady Mary Bentinck (c. 1833)

Sericulus aureus, flame bowerbird
Plate 48 from John Goulds The Birds of New Guinea, Vol. 1 (1875-88). Hand coloured lithograph

Amandava amandava, red avadavat
Watercolour by Frederick Ditmas (c. 1840)

Progne subis, purple martin

Elanoides forficatus, American swallow-tailed kite
Plate 72 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1827-30), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

Tichodroma muraria, wallcreeper
A watercolour by Lady Mary Bentinck (c. 1833)

Historia Naturalis Title Page
The title page from Historia Naturalis (Natural History) by Pliny the Elder. This 1st edition was published in Venice in 1469. Incunabulum, illuminated with watercolour and gold paint. 400mm x 270 mm

Ramphastos vitellinus, channel-billed toucan
Original oil painting on canvas by Nicholas Aylward Vigors, (1831). 48cm x 62cm

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"Elphick: A World of Avian Wonders" Step into the enchanting world of Elphick, where a diverse array of feathered creatures captivate with their beauty and uniqueness. From the rare Strigops habroptilus, also known as the kakapo, to the elegant Cygnus atratus or black swan, each bird tells its own fascinating story. The Bubo coromandus, a dusky eagle owl with piercing eyes that seem to hold ancient wisdom. The Pharomachrus moccino, resplendent quetzal adorned in vibrant plumage like a living jewel. And let's not forget about Egretta garzetta - the graceful little egret who dances effortlessly along water's edge. In this avian wonderland resides Ceratagymna elata, a yellow-casqued hornbill whose distinctive bill is both striking and functional. Watch in awe as Upupa epops performs its mesmerizing courtship display - the common hoopoe spreading its wings like an artist's brushstroke against blue skies. Listen closely for the unmistakable laughter echoing through trees; it's Dacelo novaeguineae, better known as the laughing kookaburra bringing joy wherever it goes. Meanwhile, Erithacus rubecula enchants us with its melodic songs while Psephotus dissimilis flaunts its vibrant hooded colors. Witness Alcedo athhis dive gracefully into rivers and emerge triumphantly with fish clasped tightly in its beak - truly a master angler among birds. Lastly, Garrulus glandarius showcases intelligence and resourcefulness as Eurasian jay adorns itself with nature's treasures. Elphick invites you on an extraordinary journey through these remarkable species from around our planet. Discover their stories and marvel at their splendor – reminding us all of nature’s boundless creativity and endless wonders.