Le Cassican. An Original Hand-Coloured Engraving From “ Histoire Naturelle Des Oiseaux” by Buffon. Circa 1770. Size: 27.5 x 20 cms.

An original hand coloured antique print entitled Le Cassican.

From ‘Histoire Naturelle Des Oiseaux’ by George-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon.

Published by L’Imprimerie Royale, Paris between 1770 and 1786.

Engraved by Chambers.

36 volumes of Histoire Naturelle were published during the author’s lifetime with a further eight being produced after his death by Leclerc’s friend Bernard Germain de Lacépède.

Born a man of modest circumstance George-Louis Leclerc secured a massive inheritance from his godfather. With this he travelled to Paris where, after some study, he earned a position as Head of Le Jardin du Roi, a major botanical garden in the city. Here he started his studies of plants and animals in earnest, collecting vast numbers of botanical and zoological specimens and turning the park into an institute of research.

Le Cassican translates as Australian Magpie. It has distinctive black and white plumage. It has long legs and walks rather than waddles or hops; spending much of its time on the ground. It has a complex range of vocalisations. It’s diet is largely made up of insects. It can live for 25 years. Magpies are often fed by people. When breeding however they will attack humans if their nests are approached. They can however recognise different human individuals and are less likely to attack those that they know.

Size: 27.5 x 20 cms or 18.1 x 13 inches.

Condition: Very Good. The coloured part of the print is clean and fresh. The white surround is tanned and marked by small blemishes and a dark stain to the right. The paper upon which the engraving is printed is uneven in shape and lightly wrinkled. This was usual for the period of manufacture. There are three pieces of paper glued to the reverse side. They were probably once used to affix the print to a mount.