The Birds of America

Birds included

The first volume of this edition covers a variety of bird species, focusing on small and medium-sized birds that Audubon observed and documented during his explorations of North America. The volume typically includes iconic species such as robins, warblers, and sparrows, although each volume covers birds from different species and habitats.

As in the other volumes, the first contains color illustrations, made from smaller engravings that were hand-colored in Audubon's style. The birds are depicted in their natural environment, with precise postures and anatomical details.

In this edition, each plate or group of plates is accompanied by a descriptive text that provides detailed information on the species' characteristics, behavior, habitat, and other scientific data.

This volume also includes a descriptive and scientific text entitled Ornithological Biography , which accompanies each plate and details the characteristics of the birds.

Format

• Size: The volume follows the octavo format, with an approximate height of 26 cm and a width of 18 cm (10.23″ × 7.08″).
  
• Number of plates: although it varies between editions and volumes, it includes approximately 80 illustrations.
  

Historical value

The first volume is highly regarded not only for its artistic value, but also for its scientific importance in documenting North American bird species at a time when much of the fauna was unknown to the European and American scientific communities.

This volume, like the others, is highly valued today by collectors and specialized libraries, and its influence on ornithology, art, and natural history remains immense.

Copies of these editions have fetched extremely high prices at auction due to their rarity and historical value.

A masterpiece of 19th-century ornithological art and documentation.