AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851), Louisiana Hawk, (Plate 392), 1827–1838

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON (AMERICAN, 1785–1851)

Louisiana Hawk, Plate 392

From the Birds of America

Engraved by Robert Havell (1793–1878)

Published: London, 1827–1838

Aquatint engraving with original hand coloring

Paper size: 26 x 39 in.

Frame size: 37 x 49 1/2 in.

Provenance: The Magnificent Sachsen-Meiningen Set of Audubon

“The species now before you belongs to the group of what may be called indolent or heavy-flying Hawks. The specimen from which I made my drawing, was procured by a gentleman residing in Louisiana, who shot it between Bayou Sara and Natchez. A label attached to one of its legs authorizes me to say that it was a female; but I have received no information respecting its habits ; nor can I at present give you the name of the donor, however anxious I am to compliment him upon the valuable addition he has made to our Fauna, by thus enabling me to describe and portray it. I have much pleasure in naming it after my friend Epwarp Harris, Esq., a gentleman who, independently of the aid which he has on many occasions afforded me, in prosecuting my examination of our birds, merits this compliment as an enthusiastic Ornithologist.” - John James Audubon