[Vieillot's Crested Fireback (Lophura ignita rufa)] Euplocomus vieilloti

Author: GOULD, John (1804-1881)
Title: [Vieillot's Crested Fireback (Lophura ignita rufa)] Euplocomus vieilloti
Publication: [London: by the Author, 1850-1883]
Sheet size: 14 3/4 x 21 1/2 inches.

Description: A fine image from John Gould's magnificent folio work 'The Birds of Asia'.

'Vieillot's Crested Fireback is found in the hills and lowlands of Malaya, southern Tenasserim and southwards from Siam, as well as parts of Sumatra. These are typically birds of the woods and hardly ever come out into the open. They roam over their territory in small parties, usually keeping near to rivers and streams and scuttling across any open stretches or paths. When they fly their wings make a clapping noise that echoes through the wood... In courtship display the cock struts round the hen with tail erect, crest fanned out and the wattle on his face swollen.' (A.Rutgers Birds of Asia 1969, p.29). The intended geographical range of "The Birds of Asia" was enormous, and very much in keeping with the seemingly limitless self-belief of the 19th-century's best known ornithologist. In his all-encompassing work John Gould includes species from all corners of the eastern world, as Richard Bowdler Sharpe noted the work covers "Species from Palestine to the eastward, and from the Moluccas to the west". Gould chose to record the bird life from an area which, with the exception of the tropical areas of the American continent, includes the widest, and most colourful variety of bird life to be found anywhere in the world. The present plate is from a large number of images documenting the pheasants of the region, one of the most beautiful and varied of all bird families.

Cf. Anker 178; cf. Fine Bird Books (1990), p.102; cf. Nissen IVB 368; cf. Sauer 17; cf. Wood p. 365; cf. Zimmer p.258.

Seller ID: 5559

Subject: Prints & Drawings, Ornithology