GREAT SNIPE – SCOLOPAX MAJOR – ORIGINAL HAND-COLOURED LITHOGRAPH BY JOHN AND ELIZABETH GOULD

Artists: John and Elizabeth Gould
Price: £295.00
Publisher: Printed by Hullmandel
Publication Date: 1832-1837
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph heightened with gum arabic
Condition: Very good indeed, bright copy with good margins
Sheet Size: 54cm x 36.4cm
Series: From ‘The Birds of Europe’

This exquisite original hand-coloured lithograph from John and Elizabeth Gould’s magnificent work, ‘The Birds of Europe,’ produced between 1832 and 1837, showcases the Great Snipe in stunning detail. The artwork exhibits the meticulous detail and vibrant use of colour that define the Goulds’ lithographs, making it a desirable piece for both art collectors and ornithological enthusiasts. Drawn from life, it reflects the Goulds’ commitment to scientific accuracy combined with artistic elegance. Minor age toning. Very minor textual off-setting as usual. A very good indeed, bright, copy with good margins. Location: Map Drawer B: Folder 1006. 002037

The Story:

John Gould was an English ornithologist and bird artist. He and his wife, Elizabeth Gould, worked closely together to produce some of the most comprehensive and stunning ornithological works of the 19th century. Elizabeth, an accomplished artist, transferred many of John’s sketches into the lithographic prints that were then hand-coloured under her supervision. This piece not only captures the essence of the birds’ characteristics but also stands as a testament to the Goulds’ significant contributions to both art and science.

Condition Details:

• Overall Condition: Shows slight age toning and handling marks.
• Visual Appeal: Bright and vibrant colours, enhanced with gum arabic.
• Margins: Well-preserved with good margins, indicating careful handling over the years.

Key Features:

• Historical Significance: Part of John and Elizabeth Gould’s ‘The Birds of Europe,’ known for its scientific and artistic merit.
• Collector’s Item: Rare especially in such good condition.
• Artistic Detail: Demonstrates high-quality lithographic work and hand-colouring skills synonymous with John and Elizabeth Gould.

The Great Snipe: A Brief Description

The Great Snipe (Gallinago media) is a medium-sized wading bird belonging to the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae. It is known for its secretive nature, striking plumage, and fascinating courtship displays. The species breeds in northern Europe and parts of Siberia and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa during the winter. The Great Snipe is admired by birdwatchers for its elaborate lekking behaviour, where males gather in groups to perform courtship displays.

Physical Description

Size: The Great Snipe measures between 26 and 30 centimetres in length, with a wingspan of 42 to 46 centimetres. It typically weighs between 150 and 260 grams, with males and females being similar in size.
Plumage: The plumage of the Great Snipe is intricately patterned with dark brown, buff, and white, providing excellent camouflage in its grassy habitat. The upperparts are mottled with blackish-brown and buff, while the underparts are predominantly white, with bold, dark barring on the flanks. The bird’s head is marked with pale stripes above and below the eye, and the long, straight bill is used for probing the ground for invertebrates.
Legs and Bill: The legs are relatively short and pale greenish-yellow, adapted for walking through wet grasslands. The bill is long, straight, and sensitive, designed for probing the soil for worms and insects.
Flight: The Great Snipe has a distinctive flight pattern, which is fast and direct. When flushed, it often flies in a zigzag motion before landing abruptly and disappearing into the vegetation. In migration, the bird flies high and in a straight line, covering long distances.

Habitat and Distribution

Geographical Range: The Great Snipe breeds in northern Europe, from Norway and Sweden to the western parts of Russia, and in the wetlands and tundra of Siberia. During the winter, it migrates to sub-Saharan Africa, where it spends several months in savannahs, floodplains, and wetlands.
Habitat: In the breeding season, the Great Snipe favours wet meadows, marshes, and bogs with dense vegetation. It nests in areas with tall grasses and sedges, which provide cover from predators. During migration and in the winter, it can be found in open grasslands, river floodplains, and moist savannahs, often in areas with abundant invertebrate prey.

Behaviour

Diet: The Great Snipe is an omnivorous bird, feeding mainly on insects, worms, spiders, and other invertebrates. It also consumes plant material, such as seeds and shoots, especially during the non-breeding season. The bird uses its long, sensitive bill to probe the ground, feeling for prey in the soil or shallow water.
Foraging: The bird is mostly active at dawn and dusk, foraging in dense vegetation or along the edges of wetlands. It uses a methodical probing technique to locate and extract prey from the soil. Its cryptic plumage helps it stay hidden while feeding.
Vocalisations: The Great Snipe is generally quiet, but during the breeding season, males become highly vocal. They produce a variety of calls, including whistles, clicks, and trills, especially during their courtship displays.

Social Structure

Breeding Behaviour: The Great Snipe is known for its lekking behaviour, where males gather in open clearings to perform courtship displays for females. These displays involve a combination of wing flutters, tail fanning, and rapid movements, accompanied by a series of clicking and whistling sounds. The males compete for the attention of visiting females, who choose a mate based on the quality of the display.
Nesting: The female builds a simple nest, which is a shallow scrape on the ground lined with grass and leaves. She lays a clutch of 2 to 4 eggs, which are olive or buff-coloured with dark markings. The female alone incubates the eggs for about 20 to 22 days.
Chick Development: The chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are well-camouflaged and able to feed themselves, though the mother remains nearby to protect and guide them. The chicks grow rapidly and are capable of flight within three to four weeks.

Migration

Resident and Migratory Behaviour: The Great Snipe is a long-distance migrant, travelling from its breeding grounds in northern Europe and Siberia to wintering areas in sub-Saharan Africa. The migration is remarkable for its speed and efficiency, with birds covering thousands of kilometres in a short time. During migration, they often make non-stop flights, using stored fat reserves to sustain themselves.

Conservation Status

The Great Snipe is currently listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List. The species has experienced population declines due to habitat loss, particularly the drainage of wetlands and the conversion of grasslands to agriculture. Hunting pressure in some parts of its range also poses a threat. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, managing grasslands to maintain suitable breeding conditions, and monitoring populations to understand migration patterns and threats.

Similar Species

• Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago): The Common Snipe is smaller and has a more slender build, with a shorter bill and more heavily striped head. Its flight pattern is more erratic, and it lacks the lekking behaviour of the Great Snipe.
• Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus): The Jack Snipe is much smaller and more secretive, with a characteristic bobbing motion when feeding. It has a shorter bill and a more compact appearance compared to the Great Snipe.

Importance and Ecological Role

The Great Snipe plays an important role in wetland ecosystems, helping to control insect populations and contributing to the health of grassland and marsh habitats. Its presence is a sign of a healthy, biodiverse environment, and the bird’s long-distance migrations connect ecosystems across continents.

Conclusion

The Great Snipe (Gallinago media) is a remarkable wading bird, known for its elaborate lekking displays, cryptic plumage, and impressive migratory journeys. Despite its elusive nature, it continues to fascinate birdwatchers and researchers. However, the species faces significant threats from habitat loss and hunting, making conservation efforts crucial for its survival. Protecting and managing wetland and grassland habitats is essential to ensure the continued presence of this intriguing and beautiful bird in the wild.

Why Collect This Lithograph?

Owning this lithograph means possessing a piece of ornithological and art history. Its blend of scientific accuracy and aesthetic beauty makes it a worthy addition to any collection of fine art or historical prints.

Why Buy from Us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our collection of rare lithographs is meticulously curated to ensure that each piece is both a valuable and authentic addition to your collection. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every lithograph is thoroughly researched and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: We select each piece with an eye for historical significance, condition, and visual appeal.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions to secure and prompt delivery.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, any item may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and items must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:

Visit Hornseys to explore our exceptional collection of original hand-coloured lithographs by John and Elizabeth Gould. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for art lovers and collectors since 1976