Printed on the plate
“Cuckoo (young ejecting infant Titlarks)”
Cuculus canorus
Engraved caption: CUCULUS CANORUS.
Modern identification
Printed “Cuckoo (young ejecting infant Titlarks)”
Cuculus canorus
- Certain
- Checked against the engraved caption
- Cuckoos · Cuculidae
Why
Cuculus canorus = Common Cuckoo; the newly hatched young ejecting its nest-mates.
Sources
engraved caption; Gould's text; Birds of Europe plate 240; the plate
Figure foster parent
Anthus pratensis
- Certain
- Wagtails and Pipits · Motacillidae
Why
The 'infant Titlarks' of the List, and the streaked adult behind the nest, are the Cuckoo's host, the Meadow Pipit (Gould's Titlark, III.13). The caption names only the Cuckoo.
Sources
List of Plates; Gould's text; the plate
Who made the plate
J. Gould & W. Hart, del et lith.Walter, Imp.
- John Gould drew and lithographed
- William Matthew Hart drew and lithographed
- Walter printed
As the credit line gives it. More on who made these plates.
