Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.10041
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    ‘The Puffin, and the Razor-bill’

    Date
    1761
    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
    Content object
    nature
       > animal
          > bird
    Description
    Ornithological studies of an Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica (Figure 1) and a Razorbill Alca torda (Figure 2). Both are shown in the sea, with line profile studies of their heads.

    Plate 358 from chapter 148 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 birds within the text: “The two Birds above-described...breed about the rocks called The Needles, at the westermost point of the Isle of Wight...”

    The plate is inscribed: “Fig.I Anas Arctica, the Puffin or Coulternel. Fig.II Alca hoieri, the Razor-bill or Auk. Drawn from life by G.Edwards Aug 7 1761.”
    Associated place
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