John Gould.

Red-Throated Diver.

20 x 14 inches

A lithograph in fine original hand colour, engraved by H. C. Richter after the drawings by John and Elizabeth Gould and published in John Gould's The Birds of Europe between 1832 and 1837.

The red-throated diver is a migratory seabird inhabiting the northern hemisphere. Twitchers in the UK are best advised to head for the lochs of Scotland in the summer where they breed and make their nests. During this season, the male, making a big effort to attract a mate, adopts the characteristic red plumage on his throat. During the winter they revert to a much plainer grey and tend to make for the coast where they gorge on fish. It is said in the glens of Scotland that the cry of a red-breasted diver can indicate the weather with a short, clipped noise signalling fine conditions and a longer, plaintive cry heralding turbulence ahead!

Gould's birds are considered to be the finest of any nineteenth century ornithological prints. They demonstrate, better than any other work, the aptitude for lithography to capture the fragility and beauty of each bird's plumage. The hand colouring is exceptionally fine and is faithful to the colours of the particular bird. Gould's birds remain some of the most decorative and sought after ornithological studies ever produced.

£650