"Superb Menura". Lyre Bird engraving.
London: Leigh Sotheby & Son, May 30, 1801. A very early representation of the lyre bird, an original beautifully hand colored copper engraving on watermarked laid paper. In 1800 the Menura superba was illustrated for the first time, and scientifically described by Major General Thomas Davies, to the Linnean Society of London.
Davies (ca. 1737 - 1812), a British Army officer and naturalist, was elected a fellow of the Royal Society and the Linnean Society and contributed articles on ornithology in Australia. He prized the lyrebird for its 16 feather tail, comprised of brown feathers curving like a lyre.
From Latham's 'General Synopsis of Birds', the earliest major investigation of Australian birds. Magnificent original color, crisp and bright, a fine copy. 9 1/4" x 6 3/4" Item #24950
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