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Great auk, Pinguinus impennis. Extinct
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Great auk, Pinguinus impennis. Extinct
Great auk, Pinguinus impennis. Extinct. Handcoloured woodblock engraving by Benjamin Fawcett from Francis Orpen Morris Natural History of British Birds, London, 1850
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Media ID 23194922
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Benjamin Extinct Fawcett Francis Morris Ornithology Orpen Pinguinus Woodblock Woodcut Impennis
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This handcoloured woodblock engraving depicts the Great Auk, Pinguinus impennis, a fascinating and enigmatic seabird that once inhabited the cold North Atlantic waters. The image is taken from Francis Orpen Morris's "Natural History of British Birds," published in London in 1850. The work was illustrated by the skilled hand of Benjamin Fawcett, whose intricate engraving techniques brought the intricacies of the Great Auk's plumage and distinctive features to life. The Great Auk, also known as the "clumsy penguin of the North," was a flightless seabird, measuring around 70 cm in length and weighing up to 3.5 kg. It had a black back, white underparts, and a large, bulky body. Its wings were reduced to small, winglets, which made it appear flightless. The Great Auk was an excellent swimmer and diver, and it spent most of its life at sea, only coming ashore to breed. Unfortunately, this remarkable bird is now extinct. The last known Great Auk was sighted in 1844 off the coast of Newfoundland. The primary cause of its extinction was human activity, as the birds were hunted for their meat, oil, and feathers. The Great Auk's extinction is a tragic reminder of the consequences of overexploitation and the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species. This beautiful engraving serves as a testament to the Great Auk's existence and the natural world's wonders that have been lost to time. It also highlights the importance of documenting and preserving the natural history of our planet for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
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