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This hand-colored engraving by Prideaux John Selby depicts two tern species, the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) above and the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) below. Both birds are presented in side profiles, perched on rocky outcrops, their red bills and legs vividly contrasted against their grey and white plumage. The detailed rendering highlights the subtle differences between the species, such as the slightly shorter tail streamers of the Arctic Tern.
Included in Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology (1821–1834), this plate captures the elegance and aerodynamic form of these seabirds, known for their agility and long migrations.
The Arctic Tern, famed for its extraordinary pole-to-pole journey, is particularly celebrated as a symbol of endurance and adaptability in the natural world.
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.
