The 5 Unsolved Mystery Species In Audubon's 'Birds Of America'

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Riddick
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The 5 Unsolved Mystery Species In Audubon's 'Birds Of America'

Post by Riddick » 03-04-2017 08:58 PM

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A Carbonated Swamp Warbler, as painted by John James Audubon

The ornithologist and artist painted from nature, yet the stars of several of his stunning bird folios have puzzled ornithologists to this day. These birds have never been positively identified, and no identical specimens have been confirmed since Audubon painted them.

The five “mystery birds,” as they are often referred to, as labeled by Audubon: Townsend’s Finch (identified in a later edition of 'Birds Of America' as Townsend’s Bunting), Cuvier’s Kinglet, Carbonated Swamp Warbler, Small-headed Flycatcher and Blue Mountain Warbler.

Curator of drawings at the New York Historical Society, Roberta J. M. Olson, points out Audubon worked during a fledgling stage of American ornithology and helped map the species of America. He did not base his work on other people’s descriptions. “Drawn from nature” was his credo, and he inscribed it on many of his works. A vast majority of his likenesses and behavioral descriptions have stood the test of time.

He wrote himself that some of his birds could not be identified. The presence of a few “mystery birds” in his work “is a testament to the kinds of challenges that the artist-naturalist faced in his pioneering attempt to study and codify taxonomically hundreds of American birds in this pre-photographic age,” Dr. Olson said. FULL STORY
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Re: The 5 Unsolved Mystery Species In Audubon's 'Birds Of America'

Post by Malaria_Kidd II » 07-21-2017 09:58 AM

Wow Riddick! I've missed another great one by not paying strict attention to what you've offered us here! :oops: I was totally unaware of his 5 mystery birds! Thanks! Or the fact that in those times he had his share of skeptic minds. :oops:

Kentucky's Audubon State Park is less than 40 miles from here in Henderson, KY. The large limestone castle-like museum is a jewel to behold. Their many woodland trails vs hills, lake, 9 hole golf course, Audubon's ornithological original art collection, "gift shop" of KY residents only wildlife art & wild crafts, "kids work shop" and a giant windows room adjacent to bird feeders (with speakers) are all offering up a camper's dream world! :o

All Americans interested in the fragile life around us, owe him so much! :mrgreen:


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