Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus [current name: Hermit Thrush. Turdus solitarius], from "The Birds of America," plate 58 [later LVIII]

This print from Audubon's The Birds of America represents adult male and female birds perched on branches of the shrub Robin Wood which grows in swampy areas and produces clusters of red berries favored by these thrushes. The male, above, is shown in profile facing right. The female, below and behind a curved branch, faces left. The pair have brown feathers on their backs, variegated black and white breast feathers, and tan eye surrounds. Both have golden brown tail feathers, with the male displaying these on the wings as well, but the female's wings are tan. This is a first variant before plate number was changed from 58 to LVIII. Audubon's related painting is inscribed "February 2, 1822" at which time the artist was in New Orleans.





Audubon placed the birds in his prints amongst plants native to their habitats, a significant departure from traditional natural history drawing practice. Also innovative was to often show birds in movement and, when more than one appear, from different points of view to display more of their plumage. Engraved text below gives English vernacular names for the birds followed by Latin, with plants identified in the same way. Full sets of The Birds of America contain 435 life-sized depictions. Over thirteen years, subscribers periodically received sets of five prints (each set containing images of two small, one medium sized and one large bird species). Engraved numbers at upper left and right identify the set number and individual plate number. Double elephant-folio sized sheets of paper were used, no matter the size of the printing plate, to allow the sets to be bound together once complete. Fewer than two hundred full sets were produced. When later divided, previous owners of individual prints often trimmed the margins. This work retains its original margins.