Audubon Aquatint, Solitary Flycatcher
AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851).
Solitary Flycatcher, Plate 28.
Aquatint engraving with original hand color.
London: Robert Havell, 1827-1838.
38 5/8" x 25 1/2" sheet.
Comparable: Sotheby's, 6/19/2009 - $3,125; Christie's, 6/25/2004 - $2,868
The manners of this bird are not those of the Titmouse, Fly-catcher, or Warbler, but partake of those of all three. It has the want of shyness exhibited in the Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Fly-catchers. It hangs to bunches of small berries, feeding upon them as a Titmouse does on buds of trees; and again searches amongst the leaves and along the twigs of low bushes, like most of the Warblers. On the other hand, it differs from all these in their principal habits. Thus, it never snaps at insects on the wing, although it pursues them; it never attacks small birds and kills them by breaking in their skulls, as the Titmouse does; nor does it hold its prey under its foot in the way of the Yellow-throated Fly-catcher or Vireo, a habit which allies the latter to the Shrikes. On account of all these circumstances, I look upon this bird as deserving the attention of systematic writers, who probably will find its proper place in the general arrangement.
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AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851).
Solitary Flycatcher, Plate 28.
Aquatint engraving with original hand color.
London: Robert Havell, 1827-1838.
38 5/8" x 25 1/2" sheet.
Comparable: Sotheby's, 6/19/2009 - $3,125; Christie's, 6/25/2004 - $2,868
The manners of this bird are not those of the Titmouse, Fly-catcher, or Warbler, but partake of those of all three. It has the want of shyness exhibited in the Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Fly-catchers. It hangs to bunches of small berries, feeding upon them as a Titmouse does on buds of trees; and again searches amongst the leaves and along the twigs of low bushes, like most of the Warblers. On the other hand, it differs from all these in their principal habits. Thus, it never snaps at insects on the wing, although it pursues them; it never attacks small birds and kills them by breaking in their skulls, as the Titmouse does; nor does it hold its prey under its foot in the way of the Yellow-throated Fly-catcher or Vireo, a habit which allies the latter to the Shrikes. On account of all these circumstances, I look upon this bird as deserving the attention of systematic writers, who probably will find its proper place in the general arrangement.
% from the market value