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Anthornis melanura, New Zealand bellbird
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Anthornis melanura, New Zealand bellbird
Ff. 62. Watercolour painting by George Forster (1773) annotated Certhia olivacea and made during Captain James Cooks second voyage to explore the southern continent (1772-75)
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Media ID 8595847
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10705478
1754 1794 18th Century Adventure Australasia Bellbird Captain Cook Captain James Cook Cook Discovery Exploration Forster Johann George Adam Johann George Adam Forster Meliphagidae New Zealand Passeriformes Passerine Perched Perching Sauropsid Sauropsida
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This stunning watercolor painting, titled
EDITORS COMMENTS
Anthornis melanura," depicts the New Zealand bellbird, or tōtara-tōtara, perched on a branch. The artwork was created by the renowned naturalist George Forster during Captain James Cook's second voyage to explore the southern continent between 1772 and 1775. Forster meticulously documented the natural world they encountered during their journey, producing over 600 illustrations. Forster identified this bird as the "Blackbird of New Zealand," and it is now classified as a passerine, or perching bird, belonging to the Meliphagidae family, specifically the Anthornis genus. The New Zealand bellbird is native to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands in Australasia and is characterized by its distinctive black plumage, orange wattles, and long, curved beak. The painting is annotated with the name "Certhia olivacea," which is now recognized as a different species, the olive-backed pitohui. This error highlights the challenges of early taxonomy and the ongoing process of scientific discovery. The painting was produced during an era of great exploration and adventure, as Europeans sought to expand their knowledge of the world. Captain Cook's voyages were instrumental in mapping the Pacific Ocean and making significant discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere. This beautiful watercolor painting is a testament to the natural wonders that were uncovered during this period and the important role that naturalists like Forster played in documenting and understanding the natural world." Johann Georg Adam Forster (1754-1794) was a German naturalist and writer who accompanied his father Johann Reinhold Forster on Cook's second voyage. He made significant contributions to the scientific record of the expedition, including the documentation of many new species. This painting is a remarkable example of his work and a valuable historical record of the natural world.
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