Naturalist William Bartram, Alexander Wilson's neighbor on the Schuylkill River just below Philadelphia, encouraged Wilson to collect specimens of birds and learn to draw and paint them. Wilson, an ornithologist, produced this comprehensive work, covering the eastern United States north of Florida, based almost entirely on his own observations. The plates were produced by engravings from his own drawings; Wilson colored a sample proof for use as a model by hand-colorists. American Ornithology is a landmark in American natural history.
Gift of Joseph Y. Jeanes, Jr.
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