Rose Breasted Grosbeak by John James Audubon
An archival premium quality art print of the Rose Breasted Grosbeak by John James Audubon for sale by Brandywine General Store. The artwork shows several of the small colorful birds that are setting in a ground hemlock tree or bush, full of red berries, which the birds are feasting upon. This was picture number 127 in Audubon's ornithology book The Birds of America, the 1st Havell edition which was published in the 19th century. Coccoborus Ludovicianus - Mr. Audubon says the following about the rose breasted grosbeak "I have frequently observed this beautiful species, early in the month of March, in the lower parts of Louisiana, making its way eastward; and when residing at Henderson in Kentucky, and in Cincinnati in Ohio, I have noticed the same circumstance. At this early period, it passes at a considerable height in the air, and now and then alights on the tops of the tallest trees of the forest, as if to rest awhile. While on wing it utters a clear note, but when perched it remains silent, in an upright and rather stiff attitude. It is then easily approached. I have followed it in its migrations into Pennsylvania, New York, and other Eastern States, through the British provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as far as Newfoundland, where many breed, but I saw none in Labrador. It is never seen in the maritime parts of Georgia, or those of the Carolinas, but some have been procured in the mountainous portions of those States. I have found them rather plentiful in the early part of May, along the steep banks of the Schuykill river, twenty or thirty miles from Philadelphia, and observed, that at that season they fed mostly on the buds of the trees, their tender blossoms, and upon insects, which they catch on wing, making short sallies for the purpose..." Audubon Birds art print #127