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Secretary bird, Sagittarius serpentarius
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Secretary bird, Sagittarius serpentarius
Secretary bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, wild and tame canaries, Serinus canaria. Handcoloured steel engraving by du Casse after an illustration by Adolph Fries from Felix-Edouard Guerin-Menevilles Dictionnaire Pittoresque d Histoire Naturelle (Picturesque Dictionary of Natural History), Paris, 1834-39
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Media ID 23180204
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Adolph Canaria Canary Casse Dhistoire Dictionary Dictionnaire Felix Edouard Fries Guerin Meneville Naturelle Ornithology Pittoresque Sagittarius Secretary Tame Wild Serinus Serpentarius
EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisitely hand-colored steel engraving, created by du Casse after an illustration by Adolph Fries, showcases the Secretary bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, in both its wild and tame forms, surrounded by wild and tame Canaries, Serinus canaria. The Secretary bird is a unique and fascinating species native to Africa, known for its long, curved crest, heavy beak, and powerful, secretary-like legs. In the wild, these birds are found in savannas and grasslands, where they hunt for snakes, lizards, and other reptiles using their keen eyesight and agility. In the engraving, a Secretary bird is depicted in its natural habitat, standing tall and alert, its crest raised, and its beak open, ready to strike. Nearby, a tame Secretary bird is shown in the company of Canaries, which were often kept as cage birds in Europe during the 19th century. The Canaries, with their vibrant plumage and melodic songs, add a splash of color and charm to the scene. This engraving is taken from Felix-Edouard Guerin-Meneville's Dictionnaire Pittoresque d'Histoire Naturelle (Picturesque Dictionary of Natural History), published in Paris between 1834 and 1839. The work was a popular and influential reference book for ornithology and zoology, featuring high-quality illustrations of a wide range of animals from around the world. The hand-coloring of this particular engraving adds an extra layer of detail and beauty, making it a true work of art as well as a valuable scientific record.
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