AMERICAN FLAMINGO (PLATE CCCCXXXI)

Phoenicopterus ruber JW 38 fine, fresh impression, with brilliant color, slight offprint showing through on the recto at center, smudges in the image at far right, two tears in the upper edge sheet 38 1/4 by 25 3/8 in.; 970 by 645 mm. After considerable difficulties the artist obtained a specimen of this bird and painted it in London in 1838. Flocks of flamingos had been seen by him in the Florida Keys six years earlier. See color illustration following essay on "The Birds of America".