Cuculus Audeberti – Audebert’s Cuckoo – Madagascan Cuckoo – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £65
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 001812

Cuculus audeberti: A Brief Description

Cuculus audeberti, commonly known as the Madagascan Cuckoo or Audebert’s Cuckoo, is a species of cuckoo endemic to Madagascar. It is part of the genus Cuculus, which includes several other well-known cuckoo species. As with other cuckoos, this species is known for its parasitic breeding habits, where it lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species.

Key Characteristics:

• Scientific Name: Cuculus audeberti
• Common Name: Madagascan Cuckoo or Audebert’s Cuckoo
• Size: It is medium-sized, measuring around 32–35 cm in length.
• Colouration: This species has a slate-grey upper body and pale underparts, often with faint barring. The tail is long with a distinctive dark and light pattern. The bird has a slender build with a slightly curved beak, typical of cuckoos.
• Call: The Madagascan Cuckoo is known for its distinctive call, which is heard most often during the breeding season and serves as a key identifier of the species in the wild.
• Habitat: It inhabits a variety of habitats across Madagascar, including forests, scrublands, and sometimes more open areas. It can be found at a range of altitudes, from lowland forests to montane regions.

Behaviour and Breeding:

• Brood Parasitism: Like other members of the Cuculus genus, the Madagascan Cuckoo practices brood parasitism. The female lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species, typically small insectivorous birds. The host species then incubates the cuckoo egg and raises the cuckoo chick, often at the expense of their own young.
• Diet: The Madagascan Cuckoo primarily feeds on insects, especially caterpillars, but may also take other small invertebrates. Its diet is similar to that of other cuckoos, which are known for their preference for hairy caterpillars, a food source that many birds avoid.

Conservation Status:

The Madagascan Cuckoo is currently classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. It is relatively widespread across Madagascar, although its population may be affected by habitat loss, especially deforestation in Madagascar’s unique ecosystems.

Significance:

• Endemic to Madagascar: As an endemic species, Cuculus audeberti is part of the island’s distinctive fauna. Madagascar’s isolation has led to the evolution of many unique species, and the Madagascan Cuckoo is an important component of the island’s avian biodiversity.
• Parasitism in Nature: The cuckoo’s parasitic breeding strategy is a fascinating example of evolutionary adaptation. By leaving the task of raising its young to other species, the Madagascan Cuckoo can invest more energy in laying eggs and finding food, rather than rearing chicks.

Interesting Fact:

• The species was named after Jean-Baptiste Audebert, a French naturalist and illustrator, who made significant contributions to ornithology in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

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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