In 1887, a year after founding the Audubon Society, explorer and conservationist George Bird Grinnell launched Audubon Magazine. The magazine constituted one of the first efforts to preserve bird species decimated by the women’s hat trade, hunting, and loss of habitat. Within two years, however, for practical reasons, Grinnell dissolved both the magazine and the society. Remarkably, Grinnell’s mission was soon revived by women and men who believed in it, and the work continues today. In this, the only comprehensive history of the first Audubon Society (1886–1889), Carolyn Merchant presents the exceptional story of George Bird Grinnell and his writings and legacy. The book features Grinnell’s biographies of ornithologists John James Audubon and Alexander Wilson and his editorials and descriptions of Audubon’s bird paintings. This primary documentation combined with Carolyn Merchant’s insightful analysis casts new light on Grinnell, the origins of the first Audubon Society, and the conservation of avifauna.

Including the red-winged blackbird, painted bunting, wood duck, great blue heron, ruby-throated hummingbird, purple finch, and blue jay, 46 different species of birds from all parts of the United States are included in this book. The pictures have been faithfully redrawn by Paul E. Kennedy from originals by John James Aububon (1785-1851), the most famous American painter-naturalist. For each species, the caption supplies the modern common and scientific names and the current range (by general region). No distinction is made between breeding range and winter range. Only the area of the United States, exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii, is considered. The birds shown are usually adult males when the caption does not give the information on age and sex. Audubon's original plates, numbered to correspond to the pages of the book, have been reproduced in color on the covers. If you follow them, you will not only have a great deal of coloring pleasure, but you will also learn how to identify many important birds.

Despite all that has been written about John James Audubon and his work, one aspect had been overlooked, until now... In 1838, as John James Audubon's monumental creation, Birds of America, was nearing completion, he requested his engraver, Robert Havell, produce 13 extra, unique prints. Havell was instructed to combine images from two separate plates into a single print, commonly known as a "Composite Plate". Only two full sets, along with a handful of individual prints, of these rare prints exist today and are rarely if ever seen by the public. In this book the authors, for the first time, provide an analysis as to how and why these plates were made, while providing illustrations depicting all 13 of the Composite Plates.

This book emphasizes the plants that John James Audubon frequently illustrated along with his animals.

Featuring the snowy egret, wild turkey, brown pelican, screech owl, and many others, this new collection gathers 130 select plates from Audubon's octavo edition. Includes an informative introduction to the artist and his work.

As Audubon's "Birds of America" was the most magnificent ornithological publication of the 19th century, "Of Birds and Texas" may rightfully claim that honor for the 20th. A.C. Greene praised it as "the most stunning and prodigious book in Texas history (and possibly forever)." 50 color plates.