SNOWY HERON, OR WHITE EGRET... RICE PLANTATION SOUTH CAROLINA (PLATE

CCXLII) Snowy Egret, "Egretta thula" JW 36 fine, fresh, rich impression, slight soiling in the right margin 26 by 20 3/4 in.; 660 by 528 mm. Based on a composition painted probably in late March, 1832. Audubon spent the spring of 1832, together with his assistant George Lehman, at the home of John Bachman in Charleston, South Carolina. During this visit, he observed thousands of migrating snowy egrets which "were seen in the marshes and rice fields, all in full plumage." The rich landscape was provided by Lehman. Some have speculated that the hunter at right represents Audubon. See color illustration opposite essay on The Birds of America.