This beautiful hand-colored lithograph depicts the kestrel. In the foreground, a male specimen perches on a Scotch fir, with a female specimen behind him and another male preparing to swoop in the sky above. Drawn and lithographed by Joseph Wolf and Henry C. Richter. John Gould (1804-81) created some of the most beautiful bird prints ever produced and was known throughout the world as "The Bird Man." This lithograph appeared in his magnum opus The Birds of Great Britain, which was published in 5 volumes between 1862-73. Printed by Walter & Cohn. The lot includes a sheet of text providing information about the bird's habitat, habits, appearance, and more.

References: John Gould's Birds p. 44; Sitwell p. 102.

Condition: A

Beautiful contemporary color on a sheet with faint, pleasant toning, minor offsetting from an opposing page of text, and a few tiny spots.