Audubon Aquatint, Dusky Duck, Plate 302.
AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851).
Dusky Duck, Plate 302.
Aquatint engraving with original hand color.
London: Robert Havell, 1827-1838.
25 1/2” x 38 1/8” sheet.
Comparables: Copley Auctions, 2013 - $20,700; Sotheby's, 2007 - $13,750.
“Although the Dusky Duck is often seen on salt-water bays or inlets, it resembles the Mallard in its habits, being fond of swampy marshes, rice-fields, and the shady margins of our rivers, during the whole of its stay in such portions of the Southern States as it is known to breed in. They are equally voracious, and may sometimes be seen with their crops so protruded as to destroy the natural elegance of their form. They devour, with the greatest eagerness, water-lizards, young frogs and toads, tadpoles, all sorts of insects, acorns, beech-nuts, and every kind of grain that they can obtain. They also, at times, seize on small quadrupeds, gobble up earth-worms and leeches, and when in salt-water, feed on shell-fish. When on the water, they often procure their food by immersing their head and neck, and, like the Mallard, sift the produce of muddy pools. Like that species also, they will descend in a spiral manner from on high, to alight under an oak or a beech, when they have discovered the mast to be abundant.” - (Audubon's Ornithological Biography, 1831).
Buyer's Premium
20%
AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851).
Dusky Duck, Plate 302.
Aquatint engraving with original hand color.
London: Robert Havell, 1827-1838.
25 1/2” x 38 1/8” sheet.
Comparables: Copley Auctions, 2013 - $20,700; Sotheby's, 2007 - $13,750.
“Although the Dusky Duck is often seen on salt-water bays or inlets, it resembles the Mallard in its habits, being fond of swampy marshes, rice-fields, and the shady margins of our rivers, during the whole of its stay in such portions of the Southern States as it is known to breed in. They are equally voracious, and may sometimes be seen with their crops so protruded as to destroy the natural elegance of their form. They devour, with the greatest eagerness, water-lizards, young frogs and toads, tadpoles, all sorts of insects, acorns, beech-nuts, and every kind of grain that they can obtain. They also, at times, seize on small quadrupeds, gobble up earth-worms and leeches, and when in salt-water, feed on shell-fish. When on the water, they often procure their food by immersing their head and neck, and, like the Mallard, sift the produce of muddy pools. Like that species also, they will descend in a spiral manner from on high, to alight under an oak or a beech, when they have discovered the mast to be abundant.” - (Audubon's Ornithological Biography, 1831).
Buyer's Premium
20%
