Audubon Aquatint White Ibis

AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851).
White Ibis, Plate 222.
Aquatint engraving with original hand color.
London: Robert Havell, 1827-1838.
25 1/2” x 38 3/8” sheet.
Comparable: Arader Galleries, 2016 - $25,620.
"The change in the colouring of the bill, legs, and feet of this bird, that takes place in the breeding-season, is worthy of remark, the bill being then of a deep orange-red, and the legs and feet of a red nearly amounting to carmine. The males at this season have the gular pouch of a rich orange-colour, and somewhat resembling in shape that of the Frigate Pelican, although proportionally less. During winter, these parts are of a dull flesh-colour. The irides also lose much of their clear blue, and resume in some degree the umber colour of the young birds. I am thus particular in these matters, because it is doubtful if any one else has ever paid attention to them." - Audubon's Ornithological Biography.