Antique Bird Print of the Velvet Scoter

Antique print titled 'Anas Fusca'. The velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca), also called a velvet duck, is a large sea duck, which breeds over the far north of Europe and Asia west of the Yenisey basin. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek melas "black" and netta "duck". The species name is from the Latin fuscus "dusky brown".

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. Original text page included. Minor wear and soiling. Please study image carefully.

Date: 1809

Overall size: 37 x 53.5 cm.