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Sterna fuscata, sooty tern
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Sterna fuscata, sooty tern
Plate 235 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1834-35), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London
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Media ID 8596345
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10704700
Action Aquatint Audubon Beak Birds Of America Charadriiformes Forked Gull Laridae Sauropsid Sauropsida Sea Gull Seagull Sooty Onychoprion Fuscatus
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Plate 235 from John James Audubon's seminal work, "Birds of America," showcases the captivating image of the Sooty Tern, scientifically known as Sterna fuscata. This magnificent avian specimen is depicted in intricate detail, with its sleek, glossy black body contrasting sharply against the crisp white waves and azure sea behind. The Sooty Tern, a member of the Laridae family and the Charadriiformes order, is a sauropsid, a reptile-descended class of vertebrates. The bird's distinctive, forked beak is open wide, revealing the sharp, hooked tip that enables it to efficiently catch and devour its prey, primarily fish, underwater. The Sooty Tern is a skilled flyer, with its wings outstretched in a graceful V-shape, allowing it to glide effortlessly through the daytime sky. This stunning illustration was created using the aquatint technique, a complex process that involved etching the metal plate with a fine needle, covering it with a resin, and then biting the plate with acid to create a textured surface. The plate was then hand-coloured by skilled artisans, adding vibrant hues and nuanced shading to bring the image to life. Engraved, printed, and coloured by R. Havell & Son in London, this exquisite plate is a testament to the masterful craftsmanship and dedication to natural history that characterized Audubon's groundbreaking work. The Sooty Tern, with its enchanting presence and striking appearance, continues to captivate viewers and inspire wonder at the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
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