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Lot Essay
A fine example of Richter's work. He was one of a small group of distinguished artists whom Gould employed to work on his various ornithological works. It is generally considered that he did his best work for The Birds of Great Britain, op. cit., for which he made a total of about 280 watercolours. He was the first artist to draw and lithograph family groups of British birds with nestlings and fledglings in their appropriate environments.
In the text which accompanies the published image, Gould relates that the Bar-tailed Godwit was found during autumn 'wherever a tidal estuary or a low flat beach occurs'. In the spring large flocks from the south added to the wintering birds particularly on the eastern coasts. He adds: 'They are now in the finest dress, having exchanged the grey plumage of winter for the rich chestnut livery of the approaching nuptial season...'. The rusty-red male is here depicted in summer plumage, the larger female in winter plumage.
The Limosa Lapponica was previoulsy known as Limosa rufa.
In the text which accompanies the published image, Gould relates that the Bar-tailed Godwit was found during autumn 'wherever a tidal estuary or a low flat beach occurs'. In the spring large flocks from the south added to the wintering birds particularly on the eastern coasts. He adds: 'They are now in the finest dress, having exchanged the grey plumage of winter for the rich chestnut livery of the approaching nuptial season...'. The rusty-red male is here depicted in summer plumage, the larger female in winter plumage.
The Limosa Lapponica was previoulsy known as Limosa rufa.