WHIMBREL – NUMENIUS PHAEOPUS – ORIGINAL HAND-COLOURED LITHOGRAPH BY JOHN AND ELIZABETH GOULD

Artists: John and Elizabeth Gould
Price: £245.00
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: 54.0cm 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 Whimbrel 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 and paper-handling. With a minor amount of the usual textual off-setting. A very good indeed, bright, copy with good margins. Location: Map Drawer B: Folder 1006. 002025

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 Whimbrel: A Short Description

The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is a large, migratory shorebird known for its distinctive long, down-curved bill and its widespread distribution. It belongs to the snipe family (Scolopacidae) and is closely related to other curlews. The Whimbrel is a fascinating species, notable for its remarkable long-distance migrations and its adaptation to a variety of coastal and inland habitats.

Physical Description

• Size: The Whimbrel is a medium to large-sized wader, measuring about 37 to 45 centimetres in length, with a wingspan of approximately 76 to 89 centimetres. It typically weighs around 270 to 500 grams, making it a relatively large and robust bird.
• Plumage: The Whimbrel has a generally mottled brown and grey appearance, which provides good camouflage in its natural habitats. Its upperparts are greyish-brown, while its underparts are paler, with some streaking. This pattern helps it blend in with the coastal mudflats, salt marshes, and grasslands where it forages.
• Bill: One of the most distinctive features of the Whimbrel is its long, down-curved bill, which can measure up to 9 centimetres in length. The bill is shorter and more curved than that of the larger Eurasian Curlew, with a black tip and a slightly lighter base.
• Head Markings: The Whimbrel has striking head markings, including a prominent dark brown crown stripe running from the base of the bill over the top of the head, and a pale supercilium (eyebrow stripe) above the eyes. These contrasting head stripes are a key identification feature of the species.
• Legs and Feet: The legs and feet are long and greyish-blue, enabling the Whimbrel to wade through shallow water and soft mud while foraging for food.

Habitat and Distribution

• Breeding Habitat: The Whimbrel breeds in the northern tundra and sub-Arctic regions across parts of Alaska, northern Canada, and Eurasia, particularly in Scandinavia and Russia. During the breeding season, it prefers open, treeless areas such as moors, heathlands, and wet tundra.
• Migration: The Whimbrel is a long-distance migrant, travelling thousands of kilometres between its breeding grounds in the north and its wintering areas in the southern hemisphere. European populations migrate to Africa, while North American Whimbrels migrate to South America and Caribbean islands. Some birds also winter along the coasts of Asia and Australasia.
• Wintering Habitat: In the non-breeding season, Whimbrels can be found along coastal mudflats, salt marshes, mangroves, and sandy or rocky shorelines. They are particularly common along the coasts of West Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Caribbean during the winter months.

Behaviour

• Foraging: The Whimbrel is a ground feeder, using its long, curved bill to probe deep into mud, sand, or soft soil in search of invertebrates. Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans, marine worms, molluscs, and small fish. On land, particularly in breeding areas, Whimbrels will also eat insects and berries.
• Feeding Techniques: The Whimbrel is an opportunistic forager and can often be seen probing mudflats for crabs and other prey during low tide. It uses its sensitive bill to detect prey hidden beneath the surface and is adept at extracting crabs and other crustaceans from their burrows.
• Migration Behaviour: Whimbrels undertake remarkable migratory journeys, often flying non-stop for thousands of kilometres between their breeding and wintering grounds. They are known to travel in small groups, although they may join larger flocks during certain stages of migration.
• Vocalisation: The Whimbrel is known for its distinctive call, which is a rapid, melodious series of whistles, often described as a “tittering” sound. This call is often heard during flight, particularly during migration, and serves as a means of communication between birds.

Breeding

• Nesting: The Whimbrel nests on the ground in a shallow scrape, typically lined with grasses, moss, and lichens to provide some insulation and camouflage. The nesting sites are usually in open, remote areas with low vegetation, such as tundra or moorland.
• Eggs and Incubation: The female lays a clutch of three to four eggs, which are olive or buff-coloured with darker markings. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs, a process that lasts about 22 to 28 days. The eggs are well camouflaged to help protect them from predators.
• Chick Development: The chicks are precocial, meaning they are born with their eyes open and are able to walk and forage for food within a few hours of hatching. Both parents take care of the chicks, though they are relatively independent and fledge at around 35 to 40 days.

Conservation Status

The Whimbrel is currently listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, but its populations are declining in many areas due to habitat loss, particularly in coastal wintering grounds. Human development, particularly the conversion of wetlands and coastal areas into agricultural or urban land, poses a significant threat to the species.

Other threats include hunting, which still occurs in some parts of its migratory range, and climate change, which is altering both its breeding and wintering habitats. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting important stopover sites and wintering grounds, as well as raising awareness of the impact of hunting on migratory shorebird populations.

Importance and Ecological Role

The Whimbrel plays an important ecological role in the habitats it occupies. As a predator of invertebrates, it helps regulate populations of marine worms, molluscs, and crustaceans in coastal ecosystems. Its migratory behaviour also makes it a vital indicator species for the health of the ecosystems it travels through, as it relies on a network of habitats spanning the globe.

Conclusion

The Whimbrel is a striking and adaptable shorebird known for its long migratory journeys and its characteristic down-curved bill. Found across a vast range of habitats from Arctic tundra to tropical coastlines, it exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of migratory birds. While its populations face challenges due to habitat loss and other human impacts, the Whimbrel remains an iconic species of shorebird, contributing to the biodiversity of the coastal and tundra ecosystems it inhabits.

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.