Circus Humbloti – Madagascar Harrier – Elanus Melanopterus – Black-winged Kite – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £85
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1876
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 32.5cm x 25cm

Condition:

Original hand-coloured lithograph. Minor age-toning to the margins. In very good indeed, clean condition overall. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: FS: Folder JGK 001811

Circus Humbloti: A Brief Description

The Circus humbloti, commonly known as the Madagascar Harrier, is a bird of prey species from the Accipitridae family. It is endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros islands. This harrier species is medium-sized, like other members of the harrier genus (Circus), and it is known for its striking hunting behaviour and habitat preferences.

Key Characteristics:

• Scientific Name: Circus humbloti
• Common Name: Madagascar Harrier
• Size: It is medium-sized, similar to other harriers, with males typically smaller than females.
• Coloration: Males and females show sexual dimorphism, with males usually lighter in colour (greyish) and females darker and brownish.
• Habitat: The Madagascar Harrier prefers open grasslands, marshes, and savannahs. It also inhabits agricultural fields, making it somewhat adaptable to human-modified landscapes.
• Behaviour: Like other harriers, it hunts by flying low over open fields, using its keen eyesight to spot prey. Its diet consists primarily of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
• Conservation Status: The species is considered Vulnerable due to habitat destruction and degradation, particularly in Madagascar, where deforestation and agricultural expansion threaten its natural habitat.

Significance:

The Madagascar Harrier is a relatively rare bird of prey, and its limited distribution makes it a subject of conservation efforts. Protecting its habitat is critical for the species’ survival, as it plays a key role in controlling pest populations in its ecosystem.

This species is named after the French explorer Léon Humblot, who contributed to its identification in the late 19th century.

Elanus Melanopterus: A Brief Description

Elanus melanopterus, commonly known as the Black-winged Kite, is a small raptor species belonging to the Accipitridae family. It is known for its graceful flight and striking appearance, often seen hovering over open fields in search of prey. The bird is widespread across Africa, parts of Asia, and southern Europe, and its range has been expanding in recent years.

Key Characteristics:

• Common Name: Black-winged Kite
• Scientific Name: Elanus melanopterus
• Size: Approximately 30–35 cm in length, with a wingspan of 80–95 cm.
• Coloration: Adults have pale grey upperparts with black shoulders and wingtips, a white underside, and a distinctive black patch around their red eyes. The contrast between the black and white feathers makes them easy to identify.
• Behaviour: The Black-winged Kite is known for its hovering hunting style, similar to that of a kestrel. It searches for small mammals, particularly rodents, as well as birds, insects, and reptiles. It hovers in the air before diving to capture its prey with its sharp talons.
• Habitat: It inhabits open grasslands, savannas, and agricultural areas. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in regions with human presence, as long as there is sufficient prey.
• Distribution: Native to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, it has been expanding its range into southern Europe. It is also found in India and Southeast Asia.

Conservation Status:

The Black-winged Kite is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, as its population is stable and widespread across its range. However, habitat destruction and pesticide use can pose localised threats to its food sources, particularly in agricultural areas.

Unique Behaviours:

• Hovering Flight: One of its most distinctive behaviours is its ability to hover in place while scanning for prey. This method is highly effective for spotting small animals in open fields.
• Monogamy and Breeding: Black-winged Kites are generally monogamous, and their courtship displays involve aerial acrobatics. The nests are built in trees or tall shrubs, where the female lays 3–5 eggs.

The Black-winged Kite is an iconic bird of prey, admired for its beauty and aerial skills.

John Gerrard Keulemans: A Short Biography

John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912) was a prolific and influential Dutch bird illustrator whose work remains celebrated for its accuracy and artistic detail. He was born on June 8, 1842, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From a young age, he showed an interest in natural history, particularly in birds, and this passion guided him toward a career in scientific illustration.

Early Life and Career

Keulemans studied under Hermann Schlegel at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he honed his skills as a naturalist and artist. This connection led to one of his early assignments: joining an expedition to West Africa in 1864 to collect specimens. His work during this period helped him establish his reputation as both a naturalist and an illustrator. He documented various species of birds, adding greatly to the knowledge of African avifauna.

Move to London and Prolific Period

In 1869, Keulemans moved to England, where he would spend the rest of his career. London at that time was a hub of scientific research and publishing, making it an ideal base for an artist like Keulemans. He quickly became a leading illustrator for many of the major ornithological works of the 19th century.

Major Works

Keulemans illustrated more than 100 books on natural history, with his most famous contributions to:

• “The Birds of Great Britain” (1862–1873) by John Gould – Keulemans contributed to many of Gould’s other works, but this publication remains one of the most significant.
• “A History of the Birds of New Zealand” (1873, 1888, 1906) by Sir Walter Buller – Keulemans’ illustrations were essential to the understanding of New Zealand’s birdlife.
• “The Ibis” and “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” – leading ornithological journals where Keulemans’ works regularly appeared.
• “The Avifauna of Laysan” and “The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands” by R. C. L. Perkins.

Keulemans’ distinctive style involved the meticulous depiction of birds in natural, life-like poses. His plates were highly detailed, showcasing the nuances of feathers and anatomy, and he often portrayed birds in natural habitats to highlight their behaviour and environment.

Style and Techniques

Keulemans mainly worked in lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production of his artwork while maintaining high-quality detail. He was known for his ability to bring a bird’s plumage and colour to life on paper, despite the limitations of the printing techniques of the time. His method involved working with specimens, either from museums or from field collections, to create scientifically accurate and dynamic illustrations.

Personal Life

Keulemans lived in England for much of his life and married in 1871. He fathered 11 children, though only six survived into adulthood. Despite his immense output and contributions to science, Keulemans often struggled financially, a common challenge for many illustrators of his era.

Legacy

John Gerrard Keulemans passed away on March 29, 1912, in Ilford, Essex, England. His legacy is firmly cemented in the world of ornithological illustration. His works continue to be highly regarded for their scientific value and artistic beauty. Many of his original illustrations are held in museums and private collections, and his detailed depictions are still referenced by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts today.

Keulemans’ work represents an important bridge between the art of the natural world and scientific inquiry, providing invaluable insight into bird species from around the world during a period when photography was still in its infancy. His illustrations remain among the finest examples of ornithological art.

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