Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.10040
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    ‘The Tit-mouse of Paradise’

    Date
    1759
    Creator
    George Edwards (1694 - 1773, British) , Ornithologist
    Object type
    Library reference
    38029
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (print): 288mm
    width (print): 220mm
    Subject
    Biology
       > Zoology
          > Ornithology
    Biology
       > Zoology
          > Herpetology
    Content object
    nature
       > animal
          > bird
    nature
       > animal
          > snake
    Description
    Zoological studies of a Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis posed on a small stone, with a black and red snake below, probably the American Northern red-bellied snake Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata.

    Plate 349 from chapter 139 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 3 (London, for the author, 1764). The author describes the bird within the text: “The figures engraved on this plate are both drawn from nature, of the size of life...This is one of those curious Birds in the possession of Earl Ferrers, F.R.S. It is native to Guinea in South-America...The above-described curious Little Snake was sent ot me from Pensylvania by my good friend and correspondent Mr. William Bartram...”

    The plate is inscribed: “The Titmouse of Paradise, and the small black and red Snake, boath drawn and Etched from Life of their natural bignes by George Edwards. July the 7th AD 1759.”
    Associated place
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