
This volume presents a richly detailed survey of Australia’s native birds, concentrating on a broad assortment of songbirds, robins, finches and several more obscure groups. It brings together careful observations, precise measurements and scientific names that reflect the latest 19th‑century taxonomy, making it a valuable reference for both scholars and keen naturalists. The text is organized by families and species, offering concise notes on habits, distribution and distinguishing features.
Accompanying the prose are numerous hand‑colored plates that capture the vivid plumage and characteristic postures of each bird, from the scarlet‑breasted robin to the striking lyre‑bird. The illustrations, drawn by skilled artists of the era, provide visual clarity that complements the descriptive entries. Together, the scientific commentary and artwork create an engaging portrait of Australia’s avian diversity, inviting listeners to explore the continent’s feathered inhabitants with depth and appreciation.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (270K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Richard Tonsing, MWS, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2019-11-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1804–1881
A towering figure in 19th-century natural history, this English ornithologist brought birds from around the world to life in lavishly illustrated books. His work helped shape how Victorian readers imagined Australia, hummingbirds, and many other species.
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by John Gould

by John Gould

by John Gould
by John Gould