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Lot Essay
Gould wrote commentaries on the birds to accompany the illustrations in his publications. With regard to the Yellow-bellied Tit he noted that a vast number of tit species were known in the Old World and North America, but a new species had been discovered in China by Robert Swinhoe, British Consul there. Its habitat was described by Swinhoe, 'This charming species occurs throughout the precipitous mountain-gorges between which the great Yangtsze runs, from Kweifoo in Szechwan, to Ichang in Hupeh. I found it in the latter place, in company with the Parus minor. It is a very active little bird, and has a peculiar, sibilant note.' (R. Swinhoe, Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 1870, p.133.)
Gould was pleased to have the opportunity of depicting the Bulbul's nest and young birds. The Chinese Bulbul, was common in China, had been illustrated before, and the species had been known since the time of the French explorer, P. Sonnerat (1745-1814), but Swinhoe supplied additional information on its habits, 'In April the bulbuls start making a large, deep nest, in any bush or tree, often in exposed positions in gardens close to Chinese houses. They normally have more than one brood in the year, each with three to five young. Both parents feed their young with insects.' The nest in the illustration was supplied by Swinhoe.
Gould commented on the Saxaul [Turkestan] Sparrow that in size and shape it was closely similar to the House Sparrow, but the illustration reveals its very different colouring and markings. These sparrows were found by the Russian naturalist, N.A. Severtzov, on high mountainous plateaux in remote areas.
The male and female sparrow are depicted lifesize. The male has conspicuous head and throat markings, the female's head is grey.
All the birds were depicted lifesize in these illustrations.
Gould was pleased to have the opportunity of depicting the Bulbul's nest and young birds. The Chinese Bulbul, was common in China, had been illustrated before, and the species had been known since the time of the French explorer, P. Sonnerat (1745-1814), but Swinhoe supplied additional information on its habits, 'In April the bulbuls start making a large, deep nest, in any bush or tree, often in exposed positions in gardens close to Chinese houses. They normally have more than one brood in the year, each with three to five young. Both parents feed their young with insects.' The nest in the illustration was supplied by Swinhoe.
Gould commented on the Saxaul [Turkestan] Sparrow that in size and shape it was closely similar to the House Sparrow, but the illustration reveals its very different colouring and markings. These sparrows were found by the Russian naturalist, N.A. Severtzov, on high mountainous plateaux in remote areas.
The male and female sparrow are depicted lifesize. The male has conspicuous head and throat markings, the female's head is grey.
All the birds were depicted lifesize in these illustrations.