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Rodrigues solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria
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Rodrigues solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria
Illustration of a Rodrigues solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria, by Francois Leguat from his Voyage, published 1708. Wood engraving from Hugh Edwin Strickland and Alexander Gordon Melvilles The Dodo and its Kindred, London, Reeve, Benham and Reeve, 1848
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Media ID 23168656
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Alexander Cucullatus Didus Dodo Edwin Extinct Francois Gordon Hugh Ineptus Kindred Melville Ornithology Raphus Rodrigues Solitaire Solitaria Strickland Voyage
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This exquisite wood engraving depicts the enigmatic Rodrigues Solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria, a bird once endemic to the remote volcanic island of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean. The image is derived from a drawing made by François Leguat during his stay on the island between 1691 and 1693, as recorded in his publication "Voyage de l'Isle de Rodrigues" in 1708. The Rodrigues Solitaire, also known as the Rodrigues Dove or the Solitaire Pigeon, is a fascinating avian species that was discovered by the Dutch explorer Jan Jaap van Lennep in 1601. It was described as a large, pigeon-like bird with a distinctive white plumage, black wingtips, and a red beak. The solitaire was named for its solitary habits, as it was rarely seen in groups and preferred to live alone. The Rodrigues Solitaire was a victim of human activity and habitat loss. By the late 18th century, the bird had become extinct due to overhunting and the introduction of invasive species such as rats, which preyed on its eggs and chicks. This beautiful wood engraving, created by an unknown artist, is a testament to the natural history of the Rodrigues Solitaire and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving endangered species and their habitats. The image is hand-coloured and was published in "The Dodo and its Kindred," a seminal work on extinct birds by Hugh Edwin Strickland and Alexander Gordon Melville, published in London in 1848. The wood engraving is a valuable historical record of a bird that is now lost to the world.
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