Antique Bird Print of the Common Swift

Antique print titled 'Hirundo Apus'. This print depicts the common swift with nest and eggs. (Dutch: gierzwaluw). The common swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution, reflecting similar contextual development.

This print originates from 'Nederlandsche Vogelen; volgens hunne huisdouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven", Amsterdam, 1770-1829 by C. Nozeman, M. Houttuyn and J.C. Sepp. This is the most important and first study in the Netherlands of ornithology at that time. The birds are depicted as they are in life, said to be depicted close to life sized and in their environment.

Condition: Good. General age-related toning. Please study image carefully.

Date: 1770

Overall size: 35 x 52 cm.