The Book of Birds (1849)
Intended for the Amusement and Instruction of Young People
George S. Appleton 1849 (Birds, History, Reviews)
We discovered this book in our attic
during a major cleaning. Turns out it is over 170 years old… pre-Civil War!
Below is a limited sampling of historically significant pages that contain many surprising (and perhaps inaccurate) facts. Alas the Elegant Plates
mentioned on the title page appear to be missing. Also missing is any mention of smaller birds such as wrens and warblers?!
The Great Auk
Sad to say the Great Auk was near extinction (by human hands) at the time this book was written. The book says it is frequently seen
but this is unlikely. For Europeans it was the original penguin. In other words penguins were named after the auk and not the other way around! [Pinguinus impennis is the correct classification, Alca is the genus for the related Razorbill.]
The Great Northern Diver, or Loon
The Common Loon is now classified as Gavia immer. They can (according to the book) predict approaching tempests. Their pelts and feathers were also popular with various native peoples for ceremonial clothing, but They are never eaten.
The Condor
The book actually cites Lewis & Clark (!) to say the Condor inhabits the Rocky Mountains
. It goes on to say it is doubtful the bird assaults infants
but a group may attack and maim a young bull
.
The Carolina Parrot
Modern books refer to this bird as the Carolina Parakeet, now extinct. Apparently it originally ranged as far north as New York and Wisconsin, and as far west as Colorado! No more, how sad…