ClipArt ETC
"When a new bird is seen, the observer should write an accurate description of it in his notebook, giving the length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail; the color of the crown and sides of the head, back, wings, tail, breast, and belly; length, shape, and color of the bill; length, position and arrangement of the tail feathers; and the method of feeding and manner of flight as well as its characteristic song." — Davison, 1906

Labeled bird

"When a new bird is seen, the observer should write an accurate description of it in his notebook, giving…

"Costume, temp. Charles II." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Charles II

"Costume, temp. Charles II." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

<i>Mergellus albellus</i>. "A small merganser or fishing duck...The male in adult plumage is a very beautiful bird, of a pure white, varied with black and gray, and tinged with green on the crested head; the length is about 17 inches. The female is smaller, with reddish-brown and gray plumage, and is called the red-headed smew." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Smew - A Merganser or Fishing Duck

Mergellus albellus. "A small merganser or fishing duck...The male in adult plumage is a very beautiful…

"When a feather and a cent are dropped from the same height, the cent reaches jthe ground first. this is not because the cent is heavier, bu because the feather meets with more resistance from the air in proportion to its mass. If this resistance can be removed or equalized, the two bodies will fall equal distances in equal times, or with the same velocity. The resistance may be avoided by dropping them in a glass tube from which the air has been removed. The resistances may be nearly equalized by making the two falling bodies of the same size and shape bu of different weights, as in the preceding experiment." -Avery 1895

Velocities of Falling Bodies

"When a feather and a cent are dropped from the same height, the cent reaches jthe ground first. this…

"Remove the air from a high glass tube by means of an instrument called the air-pump... Then... drop a feather and a cent simultaneously, and they will reach the bottom at precisely the same instant. Let in the air and drop them, and the feather will be several seconds longer than the cent in reaching the bottom." &mdash;Quackenbos 1859

Two Objects Falling in a Vacuum

"Remove the air from a high glass tube by means of an instrument called the air-pump... Then... drop…

An illustration of a single black feather.

Black Feather

An illustration of a single black feather.

"The body is flattened and covered with several cacareous plates; the lower, or entral surface, bears the mouth and anus; and the ten slender rays are often branched to such an extent as to appear very numerous." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Rosy feather-star

"The body is flattened and covered with several cacareous plates; the lower, or entral surface, bears…

A floral banner with a feather.

Floral Banner

A floral banner with a feather.

Also known as the Kinglet, the Golden-Crested Wren (Regulus cristatus) is the smallest of European birds. In America, only the hummingbird is less in size. It is one of the warblers (Sylviidæ). The length of the body is from three to six inches, there is a bright yellow crest, the back is yellowish olive green, the wings and tail ash brown with black and white markings. The Golden-Crested Wren is generally distributed over Europe. In spring it utters a sweet and surprisingly loud song.

Golden-Crested Wren

Also known as the Kinglet, the Golden-Crested Wren (Regulus cristatus) is the smallest of European birds.…

This feather hat is an early 20th century design. It has a feather design that flares open like a peacock in the front of the hat.

Feather Hat

This feather hat is an early 20th century design. It has a feather design that flares open like a peacock…

This feather hat is an early 20th century design. It has a feather that wraps around the top of the hat and then points upwards from the back.

Feather Hat

This feather hat is an early 20th century design. It has a feather that wraps around the top of the…

Widely distributed over Africa, Asia, and Europe, the hoopoe has a distinctive crest of feathers on its head.

Hoopoe

Widely distributed over Africa, Asia, and Europe, the hoopoe has a distinctive crest of feathers on…

An old world bird that is distinguished by it's vibrant plumage and downward-curving bill, and bright crest.

Hoopoe

An old world bird that is distinguished by it's vibrant plumage and downward-curving bill, and bright…

<i>Spathura underwoodi</i>. The <i>Spathura</i> is a "remarkable genus of <i>Trochilidae</i>, containing hummingbirds with the lateral tail-feathers, long-exerted, narrowed, and then dilated into a spatule or racket at the end, and with conspicuous leg muffs." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Racket-Tailed Hummingbird

Spathura underwoodi. The Spathura is a "remarkable genus of Trochilidae, containing hummingbirds with…

Jungle-fowl is a general name given to the members of the genus Gallus. The red jungle-fowl, G. jerrugineus, is the origin of the domesticated breeds of poultry. It inhabits India, Farther India, Sumatra, the Philippines, Celebes, and Timor, and strongly resembles the 'black-breasted game' variety of domesticated birds, with its fine orange or purplish-red upper surface, and greenish-black wings, tail, and under surface. Though excessively pugnacious in the wild state, polygamy is stated to be then rare. Three other species of jungle-fowl are known: the gray jungle-fowl of S. Central, and W. India (G. Sonnerati), G. Lafayettii of Ceylon, and G. varius of Java, Lombok, and Flores; but all these are stated to be sterile when mated with the common fowl.

Jungle-fowl

Jungle-fowl is a general name given to the members of the genus Gallus. The red jungle-fowl, G. jerrugineus,…

This painting was done by Frans Hals. This piece is a great example of the great talent the artist has painting a smile. It is now in the posession of Madame Copes van Hasseldt.

Junker Ramp and his Sweetheart

This painting was done by Frans Hals. This piece is a great example of the great talent the artist has…

The Settler's Clock <i>('Dacelo gigs')</i>, is a very large kingfisher found in Australia, where it receives its popular name from the peculiar gurgling cry uttered with great regularity at dawn and dusk. It is one of the wood kingfishers, the food consisting of of reptiles, birds, insects, and even small mammals. The name is also applied to other species of the same genus found in Australia and New Guinea, and possessing similar habits. The coloring is not brilliant, consisting of a mixture of brown, black, and white, but the male has the lower part of the back of a greenish-blue color.

Kingfisher, Dacelo gigas

The Settler's Clock ('Dacelo gigs'), is a very large kingfisher found in Australia, where it receives…

European Kites are very miscellaneous feeders, but depend largely on offal, and in the eastern tropics they are valuable as scavengers. The nest is usually placed in a tree, and consists of a mass of sticks lined with rags and paper; the eggs are three to four in number. The name kite is strictly applicable to the rare European Red Kite.

European Kite

European Kites are very miscellaneous feeders, but depend largely on offal, and in the eastern tropics…

<i>Scytalopus magellanicus</i>. "A genus of South American formicarioid passerine birds, of the family <i>Pteroptochidae</i>. <i>S. magellanicus</i> is curiously similar to wrens in general appearance and habits, though belonging to a different suborder of birds." —Whitney, 1889 <p>This illustration features a darkly colored bird sitting on a branch with small leaves.

Magellanic Tapaculo

Scytalopus magellanicus. "A genus of South American formicarioid passerine birds, of the family Pteroptochidae.…

<i>Siphonorhis americana</i>. "A genus of American <i>Caprimulgidae</i> or goatsuckers, having tubular nostrils. The only species, <i>S. americana</i> inhabits Jamaica." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Nightjar Profile and Tubular Nostrils

Siphonorhis americana. "A genus of American Caprimulgidae or goatsuckers, having tubular nostrils. The…

A decorative capital letter O with two peacock feathers in the background.

Capital Letter O

A decorative capital letter O with two peacock feathers in the background.

Head of an eagle owl. It has large eyes for seeing at night, and a hooked beak for snaring its prey.

Head of an Eagle Owl

Head of an eagle owl. It has large eyes for seeing at night, and a hooked beak for snaring its prey.

<i>Nyctea scandiaca</i>." The great white or snowy owl, <i>Strix nyctea</i> or <i>Nyctea scandiaca</i>, inhabiting arctic and northerly regions of both hemispheres, and having the plumage more or less white." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snow Owl

Nyctea scandiaca." The great white or snowy owl, Strix nyctea or Nyctea scandiaca, inhabiting arctic…

The males of the peacock species are known for their magnificent plumage. For this reason they have been domesticated in Europe and Asia.

Peacock

The males of the peacock species are known for their magnificent plumage. For this reason they have…

The males of the peacock species are known for their magnificent plumage. For this reason they have been domesticated in Europe and Asia.

Peacock

The males of the peacock species are known for their magnificent plumage. For this reason they have…

Boy with a feather in his cap holding a stick.

Peasant boy

Boy with a feather in his cap holding a stick.

"Feather from Argus Pheasant. (a,d, main stem; d, calamus; a, rachis; c,c,c, vanes cut away on right side in order not to interfere with view of b, the aftershaft, the whole of the left vane of which is like-wise cut away."-Whitney, 1902

Pheasant Feather

"Feather from Argus Pheasant. (a,d, main stem; d, calamus; a, rachis; c,c,c, vanes cut away on right…

"Fig. 19 - A partly pennaceous, partly plumulaceous feather, from Argus pheasant; after Nitzsch. ad, main stem; d, calamus; a, rhachis; c, c, c, vanes, cut away on left side in order not to interfere with b, the after-shaft, the whole of the right vane of which is likewise cut away." Elliot Coues, 1884

Feather from a Argus Pheasant

"Fig. 19 - A partly pennaceous, partly plumulaceous feather, from Argus pheasant; after Nitzsch. ad,…

Native to Sumatra and India, the argus pheasant can measure up to five feet in length.

Argus Pheasant

Native to Sumatra and India, the argus pheasant can measure up to five feet in length.

A tuft of feathers.

Plume

A tuft of feathers.

Native to South America, the males of this species are known for their pair of prominent tail feathers.

Fork-Tailed Psalurus

Native to South America, the males of this species are known for their pair of prominent tail feathers.

Quills, a crown, olive branches, and books

Quill doodad

Quills, a crown, olive branches, and books

The feathered crest of Sir Thomas de Saint Quintin.

Crest of Sir Thomas de Saint Quintin

The feathered crest of Sir Thomas de Saint Quintin.

"A duck, <i>Fuligula</i> or <i>Fulix marila</i> and related species. The common scaup inhabits Europe, Asia, and North America. It is from 18 to 20 inches long, and from 30 to 35 in extent of wings." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>In this illustration the duck is sitting on placid water, its feet tucked up underneath its body. Its head and upper body is dark, while its belly is white. There is a tree line in the distance.

Scaup, a Common Duck

"A duck, Fuligula or Fulix marila and related species. The common scaup inhabits Europe, Asia, and North…

"In Greek mythology, one of two, or three, or an indeterminate number of sea-nymphs who by their singing fascinated those who sailed by their island, and destroyed them. In works of art they are represented as having the head, arms, and generally the bust of a young woman, the wings and lower part of the body, or sometimes only the feet, of a bird." &mdash;Whitney, 1889. <p>This illustration is of two of the sirens depicted on a funeral marble in Chios. The top siren appears to be dancing. The one on the bottom is playing an instrument.

Sirens on a Greek Funeral Marble

"In Greek mythology, one of two, or three, or an indeterminate number of sea-nymphs who by their singing…

"The so-called green jackdaw of Asia, <i>Cissa sinensis</i>. The sirgang inhabits the southeastern Himalayan region, and thence through Burma to Tasserim, and has occasioned much literature." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>The bird is perched on a branch with a few leaves.

Sirgang

"The so-called green jackdaw of Asia, Cissa sinensis. The sirgang inhabits the southeastern Himalayan…

<i>Circaetus gallicus</i> is a "bird of prey inhabiting all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and thence eastward to the whole of the Indian peninsula and part of the Malay archipelago. The male is 26 inches long; the female, 30 inches; the pointed wings are more than half as long again as the tail; the tarsi are mostly naked; the nostrils are oval perpendicularly; the head is crested with lanceolate feathers; and in the adult the breast is white, streaked with brown." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snake Buzzard, Also Called a Short-Toed Eagle

Circaetus gallicus is a "bird of prey inhabiting all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and…

Nest of the common European swallow, which can be found in old wells and mines, under the roofs of barns and sheds, in belfries, and sometimes in the fork of a dead tree.

Nest of the Common European Swallow

Nest of the common European swallow, which can be found in old wells and mines, under the roofs of barns…

Feeding primarily on fruits, the umbrella-bird has two dstinctive crests of feathers, one rising from the back of its head and the other hanging off of its neck.

Umbrellabird

Feeding primarily on fruits, the umbrella-bird has two dstinctive crests of feathers, one rising from…

An illustration of the wing of a bird.

Wing of a Bird

An illustration of the wing of a bird.

This lady is wearing a late 19th century winter dress. She is also wearing a hat that includes a feather and a ribbon.

Late 19th Century Winter Dress

This lady is wearing a late 19th century winter dress. She is also wearing a hat that includes a feather…