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This plate by Prideaux John Selby depicts the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), highlighting its unique black-and-white plumage and streamlined body shape. The tern is portrayed perched on a rustic, wood-like structure with an open, natural landscape in the background, a hallmark of Selby’s approach to showcasing birds in their natural habitats. The precise details of the feather patterns, especially the dark wing markings and white face, capture the distinctive characteristics of the Black Tern. The illustration emphasizes the bird's agile form and poised stance, reflecting its adaptation to wetland and aquatic environments.
The Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) is a migratory seabird found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. Known for its association with wetlands, it breeds near freshwater lakes and marshes before migrating to coastal areas during winter. Unlike many seabirds, the Black Tern’s diet primarily consists of insects and small fish, which it catches in swift, agile flights over water. It is easily identified by its dark summer plumage, which contrasts with its paler, grayish tones during the non-breeding season.
Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology
Prideaux John Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology, published between 1821 and 1834, is one of the most significant works in 19th-century ornithological literature. Selby, an English naturalist and artist, produced a two-volume set that featured life-sized depictions of British birds, a departure from earlier works that used smaller formats. His background as both a scientist and an artist allowed him to render birds with remarkable accuracy and beauty.
