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This plate features the Common Skua, rendered with careful attention by Prideaux John Selby. The bird is depicted standing in a coastal setting, with its characteristic robust body, hooked beak, and powerful legs well-captured. Selby’s work on the Skua highlights the bird’s strength and presence, typical of this aggressive seabird known for its predatory behavior.
The Common Skua (Stercorarius skua), also known as the Great Skua, is a large seabird native to the northern Atlantic regions, primarily breeding in Scotland, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Skuas are known for their aggressive feeding and territorial behavior, often seen pirating food from other seabirds by chasing them in mid-air. They feed on fish, other seabirds, and carrion, displaying high adaptability to coastal and open sea environments. The Common Skua’s migratory pattern takes it southward in winter, with sightings along the coasts of Europe, North Africa, and occasionally as far west as North America. Their breeding habitats typically include remote coastal cliffs and islands, where they nest on the ground in grassy or rocky areas.
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.
![[ Janet Taylor -- Pioneer English Astronomer and Naval Navigation Expert ] Chart to Accompany R. Russel's Diagram of Great Circles / R. Russel's Diagram of Great Circles](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/98801.jpg)
