The Peak of Perfection in Hand-Coloured Lithography

In order to emphasise the gorgeous nature of his works, Gould tended to choose as his subject birds with bright, primary colours or birds with a metallic glitter. These are found in A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans; A Monograph of the Trogonidae, or Family of Trogons; A Monograph of the Odontophorinae, or Partridges of America; and A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds.

The Toucans found in South America possess large colourful beaks, and their plumage is often in dazzling combinations of colours which may surprise a costume designer. The Trogons found in South America, Tropical Asia, and Africa have bright-coloured feathers with fine hairs like combed silk (thus their Japanese name "kinu-bane" meaning "silk-feathered") which appear to glitter in the light. The Partridges of North America are not brightly coloured, but the complicated, regular patterns of their plumage, peculiar to the pheasant family, must have been a challenge to the illustrators. The Hummingbirds found in South America and parts of North America, with their beautiful plumage with metallic shine, strange appearances, and interesting habits, were of course an ideal subject for Gould.

Gould's penchant for beautiful birds is also reflected in his selections for The Birds of Australia, The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands, and The Birds of Asia. For instance he chose many species with beautiful plumage from the large parrots, beautiful parakeets of Australia, the paradise birds of New Guinea, and the pheasants of Asia to emphasise the splendour of his illustrations.

  • F0008220
    Gould Scientific name
    Halcyon omnicolor
    Scientific name
    Halcyon cyanoventris
    Gould name (en)
    Many-coloured Kingfisher
    Name (en)
    Javan Kingfisher
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of Asia　Vol.1
  • F0006114
    Gould Scientific name
    Lophorhina superba
    Scientific name
    Lophorina superba
    Gould name (en)
    Superb Bird of Paradise
    Name (en)
    Superb Bird-of-paradise
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands including many new species recently discovered in Australia　Vol.1
  • F0006616
    Gould Scientific name
    Cinnyris mysorensis
    Scientific name
    Leptocoma sericea
    Gould name (en)
    Mysore-Island Black Sun-bird
    Name (en)
    Black Sunbird
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands including many new species recently discovered in Australia　Vol.3
  • F0006911
    Gould Scientific name
    Pitta cyanonota
    Scientific name
    Erythropitta erythrogaster
    Gould name (en)
    Blue-backed Pitta
    Name (en)
    Red-bellied Pitta
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands including many new species recently discovered in Australia　Vol.4
  • F0007211
    Gould Scientific name
    Cacatua ophthalmica
    Scientific name
    Cacatua ophthalmica
    Gould name (en)
    Blue-eyed Cockatoo
    Name (en)
    Blue-eyed Cockatoo
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands including many new species recently discovered in Australia　Vol.5
  • F0004713
    Gould Scientific name
    Calyptorhynchus banksii
    Scientific name
    Calyptorhynchus banksii
    Gould name (en)
    Banksian Cockatoo
    Name (en)
    Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of Australia　Vol.5
  • F0002716
    Gould Scientific name
    Botaurus stellaris
    Scientific name
    Botaurus stellaris
    Gould name (en)
    Bittern
    Name (en)
    Eurasian Bittern
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of Great Britain　Vol.4
  • F0006123
    Gould Scientific name
    Paradisea decora
    Scientific name
    Paradisaea decora
    Gould name (en)
    Grey-chested Bird of Paradise
    Name (en)
    Goldie's Bird-of-paradise
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands including many new species recently discovered in Australia　Vol.1
  • F0010219
    Gould Scientific name
    Phaëthornis eurynome
    Scientific name
    Phaethornis eurynome
    Gould name (en)
    Eurynome Hermit
    Name (en)
    Scale-throated Hermit
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Trochilidae,or Family of Humming-birds　Vol.1
  • F0010814
    Gould Scientific name
    Loddigesia mirabilis
    Scientific name
    Loddigesia mirabilis
    Gould name (en)
    Marvellous Humming-Bird
    Name (en)
    Marvelous Spatuletail
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Trochilidae,or Family of Humming-birds　Vol.3
  • F0011112
    Gould Scientific name
    Eugenia imperatrix
    Scientific name
    Heliodoxa imperatrix
    Gould name (en)
    Empress Humming Bird
    Name (en)
    Empress Brilliant
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Trochilidae,or Family of Humming-birds　Vol.4
  • F0011421
    Gould Scientific name
    Erythronota edwardi
    Scientific name
    Amazilia edward
    Gould name (en)
    Wilson's Erythronote
    Name (en)
    Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Trochilidae,or Family of Humming-birds　Vol.5
  • F0011704
    Gould Scientific name
    Diphlogæna hesperus
    Scientific name
    Coeligena iris
    Gould name (en)
    Ecuadorean Rainbow
    Name (en)
    Rainbow Starfrontlet
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Trochilidae,or Family of Humming-birds　Vol.Supplement
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