Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis), Havell plate no. 26

Object Number: 
1863.17.26
Date: 
c. 1825
Medium: 
Watercolor, graphite, pastel, gouache, and black ink with scraping and selective glazing on paper, laid on card
Dimensions: 
Mat: 40 x 30 in. (101.6 x 76.2 cm) Sheet: 29 3/4 × 21 1/4 in. (75.6 × 54 cm)
Marks: 
Watermark at upper left: JWHATMAN / 181[?] [reversed]
Inscriptions: 
Inscribed at lower left in graphite: "No 6 / Plate 26 ---"; at lower left of center: "Carolina Parrot. Males 1. F. 2. Young 3 / Psitacus carolinensis"; at lower right of center: "Plant Vulgo -- Cockle Burr."; at lower right: "The upper Specimen was shot near Bayou Sarah / and appeared So uncommon having 14 Tail feathers all very / distinct and firmly affixed in 14 diferent receptacles that I / drew it more to exhibit one of those astonishing fits of Nature / than any thing else -- it was a female -- / The Green headed is also a singular although not / uncomon a Variety as the above one -- -- / Louisianna -- December --- J.J. Audubon"; birds identified clockwise from lower center: "female"; "Male"; "Female"; "Female N[?] / 14 Tail feathers"; "Male"; "Male[crossed out]"; below: "Young --"; erased inscriptions thoughout
Description: 
Lower center bird immature; others adults
Gallery Label: 
The background flora has been identified as Cocklebur (Xanthium sturmarium).
Credit Line: 
Purchased for the Society by public subscription from Mrs. John J. Audubon
Provenance: 
Mrs. John J. (Lucy Bakewell) Audubon
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Creative: Tronvig Group