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Plate CLXXIII from Audubon's The Birds of America features the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, in an intimate, detailed portrayal of nesting behavior. This double elephant folio, published by Havell in 1833, shows a nest attached to a wooden board, with a female swallow nestled inside and a male perched on the edge, capturing a familiar sight of these sociable birds in human structures.
Audubon used an actual nest he collected from a barn in New Jersey as his model, a detail that speaks to his process. He likely painted this scene during the summer of 1829, when he was in New Jersey, or possibly in 1832, when he briefly returned to the state and continued his work. The lifelike depiction of the swallows and their nest highlights Audubon’s skill in conveying not only the physical characteristics but also the behaviors and environments of his subjects.
The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a highly adaptable and widespread migratory bird, commonly found across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It thrives in open habitats near water, where it feeds on flying insects, making it an important natural pest controller. Known for its close association with human structures, the Barn Swallow frequently builds cup-shaped mud nests on man-made surfaces such as barns, bridges, and buildings, benefiting from the shelter and elevation these sites provide. During breeding season, it forms monogamous pairs and can raise multiple broods, with both parents involved in feeding the young. Its migratory behavior is notable, as Barn Swallows travel thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds, typically moving from North America to Central and South America. This species’ resilience and adaptability have contributed to its wide distribution and its role as a familiar symbol of rural and agricultural landscapes.
States
Low's second state (of 2), with the binomial changed to "Rustica" from "Americana".
John James Audubon's Double Elephant Folio Birds of America: The Havell Edition (1827-1838)
The present hand-colored original Audubon print comes from the Havell double elephant folio edition of Birds of America, the greatest color plate book ever made. This work was Audubon's magnum opus and was published at immense expense over almost a decade, between 1827 and 1838. The Havell Edition of Birds of America included 435 hand-color aquatinted plates, and it is estimated that between 165 and 175 complete sets were produced. Today, a given individual image probably exists in no more than 60 loose examples, though for some plates the number will be much lower. Audubon aquatint engravings from the Havell Edition were printed on J. Whatman wove paper, the best paper in the world at the time - and to this day an exceptional fine art paper. The sheets of paper were approximately 26½ x 39½ inches untrimmed. Importantly, they all feature watermarks that are variations on "J.Whatman" or "J.Whatman / Turkey Mill" with the date of manufacture sometimes appended. In addition to the name of the bird depicted (and sometimes its gender, age, and botanical notes as well) Audubon's name and the name of the engraver also appear printed on Havell Edition plates. On the lower left side is printed "Drawn from nature by John James Audubon F.R.S. and F.L.S." (Fellow of the Royal Society of London and Fellow of the Linnaean Society). The only exception to this is Plate 64, Swamp Sparrow, in which Lucy Audubon is credited. On the lower right side is printed "Engraved by" (in a few cases the words "Engraved and colored by" or "Retouched by" appear) followed by the name W.H. Lizars or Robert Havell, Jr. (Sometime after his father's death in 1832 Robert Havell, Jr. dropped the Jr.)
John James Audubon (1785-1851), born Jean-Jacques Rabin in Haiti on April 26, 1785, was a Franco-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter, celebrated for his detailed illustrations of North American birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book titled The Birds of America, is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever produced.
Audubon's early years were shaped by tumultuous events. Born out of wedlock in the French Caribbean colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) to a Creole mother and a French sea captain, he was smuggled to Nantes, France, during a slave rebellion. There, he was adopted by his father and stepmother and raised as their own. His childhood in France was filled with outdoor adventures and initial forays into drawing.
In 1803, to avoid conscription into Napoleon's army, he was sent to America, where he managed one of his father's estates near Philadelphia. This move further kindled his profound interest in the wildlife of the New World. Despite a few failed business ventures and challenges, Audubon remained committed to his passion for nature and art.
His dream to document all of the birds of America began to take form in the 1810s. Travelling through America's wilderness, Audubon observed, hunted, and painted birds. He developed a particular technique that involved wiring freshly killed birds into a natural pose on a board. This innovative method combined with his keen observation allowed him to create more lifelike illustrations than many of his contemporaries.
Failing to secure American subscribers or a publisher for his extensive collection, Audubon traveled to the United Kingdom in 1826. There, The Birds of America was met with critical acclaim. Between 1827 and 1838, this work was published in sections, comprising 435 hand-colored, life-sized prints made from engraved plates.
Audubon followed this success with a companion work, Ornithological Biography, which provided detailed narratives about each species. His later work included studies of American mammals, and he became one of the founding members of the New-York Historical Society.
Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, including financial hardships and criticism from some peers, Audubon's dedication to his work resulted in an invaluable contribution to ornithology and American art. He died on January 27, 1851, in New York City. Today, his legacy continues, notably through the National Audubon Society, which promotes conservation and appreciation of birds and their habitats.
![Plate II [Ornithological Studies of Beak and Foot Structures]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/101189.jpg)