Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9978
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‘The Green and Red Parrot from China’
Date
1755
Creator
George Edwards (1694 - 1773, British) , Ornithologist
Object type
Library reference
38029
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 286mm
width (print): 220mm
width (print): 220mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Ornithological study of a parrot, possibly the male Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus, native to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and related territories, shown perched on a low tree branch.
Plate 231 from chapter 21 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 1 (London, for the author, 1758). The author describes the bird within the text: “This is one of the largest species of Parrots, being the size of a middling hen...This bird is now living [A.D.1754] and is the property of Mrs Kennon, Midwife to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. I take it to be as rare a Parrot as any I have met with, it being the only one I have seen of its kind. I believe it hath never till now been either figured or described.”
The plate is inscribed: “Published according to Act of Parliament January the first AD 1755. George Edwards Delin: et Sculp.”
Plate 231 from chapter 21 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 1 (London, for the author, 1758). The author describes the bird within the text: “This is one of the largest species of Parrots, being the size of a middling hen...This bird is now living [A.D.1754] and is the property of Mrs Kennon, Midwife to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. I take it to be as rare a Parrot as any I have met with, it being the only one I have seen of its kind. I believe it hath never till now been either figured or described.”
The plate is inscribed: “Published according to Act of Parliament January the first AD 1755. George Edwards Delin: et Sculp.”
Associated place