[Sonnerat's Jungle Fowl] Gallus sonnerati

Author: GOULD, John (1804-1881)
Title: [Sonnerat's Jungle Fowl] Gallus sonnerati
Publication: [London: by the Author, 1850-1883]
Sheet size: 14 3/4 x 21 1/2 inches.
Faux veneer frame.
23 3/4 x 29 1/4 inches.

Description: A fine image from John Gould's magnificent folio work 'The Birds of Asia' showing Sonnerat's Jungle Fowl, which is named after Pierre Sonnerat, the 18th-century French naturalist and explorer, who made significant contributions to the study of Indian flora and fauna during his travels across the Indian subcontinent. His extensive work led to the discovery and naming of several species, which stands as a testament to his deep connection with the region's biodiversity.

'This is a close relative of the Common or Red Jungle-fowl, the ancestor of our domestic poultry. It is found in western and southern India where it lives in dense woodland and bamboo plantations in hilly country. In the morning and evening Sonnerat's Jungle-fowls visit open country near the forests where they feed... Although they are shy and manage to keep well-hidden, they often come into inhabited areas for the food that can be found there. The cock has an unusual call, four different syllables which sound like kook-kaya-kook-kaya".' (A.Rutgers Birds of Asia 1969, p.37). 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: 5563

Subject: Prints & Drawings, Ornithology