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Common swift, Apus apus, and common house martin
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Common swift, Apus apus, and common house martin
Common swift, Apus apus, and common house martin, Delichon urbicum.. Handcolored copperplate stipple engraving from Dumont de Sainte-Croixs Dictionary of Natural Science: Ornithology, Paris, France, 1816-1830. Illustration by J. G. Pretre, engraved by Massard, directed by Pierre Jean-Francois Turpin, and published by F.G. Levrault. Jean Gabriel Pretre (1780-1845) was painter of natural history at Empress Josephines zoo and later became artist to the Museum of Natural History
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Media ID 14214672
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Carduelis Chaffinch Coelebs Croix Dictionary Dumont Fringilla Gabriel Goldfinch Ornithology Pretre Sainte Stipple
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This stunning handcolored copperplate stipple engraving, taken from Dumont de Sainte-Croix's Dictionary of Natural Science: Ornithology, published between 1816 and 1830 in Paris, France, showcases two intriguing avian species: the Common Swift (Apus apus) and the Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum). The illustration was created by the skilled hand of Jean Gabriel Pretre, a painter of natural history at Empress Josephine's zoo, and later becoming the artist to the Museum of Natural History. The Common Swift, depicted on the left, is a small, slender bird with a distinctive, forked tail and long, pointed wings. Known for their agility in flight, swifts are among the fastest birds in the world, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour. They are also unique in their ability to fly almost continuously, only landing to breed and nest. On the right, the Common House Martin is shown. This species is a small, swallow-like bird with a glossy, blue-black back and rufous underparts. They are often seen flying low over open country, fields, and near human habitations. House Martins are social birds, forming large colonies to nest in the eaves of buildings. The intricacy and detail of this engraving, directed by Pierre Jean-Francois Turpin and engraved by Massard, is a testament to the high-quality workmanship of the time. The use of handcoloring adds an additional layer of beauty and depth to the illustration, making it a captivating addition to any collection of historical ornithological works.
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