Henry Constantine Richter (1821-1902)

Details
Henry Constantine Richter (1821-1902)

Corncrake
Crex pratensis
Crex crex
Linnaeus

numbered '4.87.' and with inscription on the mount 'J. Gould/Crex pratensis/Land-rail or Corn-Crake'; pencil and watercolour with touches of white heightening and gum arabic
13 7/8 x 20 7/8in. (353 x 530mm.)
Literature
J. Gould, op.cit., IV, pl.87

Lot Essay

Gould stated 'Soon after its arrival in spring... the male commences the harsh kraking, monotonous call, so well known to everyone resident in the country.'

The illustration shows a male with young, and a female half-hidden behind. The plant is the Bladder Catchfly or Campion.

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds Eurasia from Faeroes, British Isles east across central Russia to west Siberia and south to southern Europe through to Kazakhstan, Altai and west China. Winters from Mediterranean region south to south Africa and Madagascar. Declining in Britain for last 150 years, linked particularly to the mechanisation and earlier cutting of the hay harvest

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