Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi), Audubon's Warbler (Setophaga coronata auduboni), Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides), Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens), and Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis) , Havell plate nos. 393 and 395

1836-1837

Watercolor, pastel, graphite, and gouache with touches of black ink and selective glazing on paper, laid on card

Mat: 29 x 23 in. (73.7 x 58.4 cm)
Sheet (paper): 20 in. × 14 1/4 in. (50.8 × 36.2 cm)

Purchased for the Society by public subscription from Mrs. John J. Audubon

1863.17.393

The background flora has been identified as Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus).

DescriptionThe birds from the lower section and the bird at the top of this watercolor were engraved for Havell plate no. 393. The other birds were used on Havell Plate no. 395, as well as a branch with red pods from watercolor 1863.18.12.

Clockwise from upper left: Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi), male; Audubon's Warbler (Dendroica coronata auduboni), male and immature; Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides), female and male; Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), male and female; Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens), two males; Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis), male and female.

MarkingsWatermark: JWHATMAN

InscribedInscribed at upper left in graphite[erased]: "Males / ...May13th --1835--"; below: "Sylvia Townsendii... / 79 X[erased and repeated throughout] "; to the right: "2. Males May 29th 1835"; below: "Sylvia / Occidentalis..."; at middle right: "Carolina / allspice ---"; above: "80"; at upper right: "audubon"; at upper right corner: "393 -- 395"; at lower left in brown ink[over graphite]: "No 76. / Plate 380."; at lower left of center: "1, 2. Western blue Bird. / Sialia occidentalis, Townsend:"; at lower center: "3. 4, Arctic blue bird. / Sylvia arctica. / 7, 8. Hermit W.r / Sylvia occidentalis, Townsend. -- / 9. Townsend's Wr -- / Sylvia Townsendii, Aud."; at lower right of center: "5, 6 Black throated Grey W.r / S. nigrescens, Townsend. / 10, 11. Audubon's W.r / Sylvia audubonii, Nuttall."; at lower right: "Plant / Calycanthus floridu[cut] / Carolina allspice"; birds numbered clockwise from lower center: "2"; "6"; "5"; "7"; "8"; "9"; "10"; "11"; "4"; "3"; "1"

ClassificationsDRAWINGS

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