Description
Rare c.18th engraving of the first printed image of a Rainbow Lorikeet, issued in the first published account of the First Fleet’s voyage and founding of the colony at Sydney Cove, printed on 17th July 1789.
First Capture: May 1770 Tupaia caught a rainbow lorikeet and took it abroad Cook’s Endeavour as a pet. It survived, outliving its owner who died on 26th December, 1770. Botany Bay.
First description: 3rd November 1774 This bird was brought over by Joseph Banks. Botany Bay Peter Brown.
Sighting by First Fleeters: April 1788 We likewise saw several Blue-Bellied Parrot. This is a very beautiful bird and is very common species in various parts of New Holland and in great plenty both at Botany Bay and Port Jackson. Port Jackson John White.
Common names: Rainbow Lorikeet, Coconut Lory, Red-collared Lorikeet, Blue-bellied Lorikeet, Blue Mountain Lorikeet.
Aboriginal name: Kalingar in Tjapwurrung
Binomial name: Trichoglossus haematodus
First described: Linnaeus 1771
Distribution: Australia wide
From: Phillip, A. The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay with an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island; compiled from Authentic Papers, which have been obtained from the several Departments to which are added the Journals of Lieuts. Shortland, Watts, Ball and Capt. Marshall with an Account of their New Discoveries,….. London.
Collections:
British Library: Shelfmark: C.47.i.10
National Gallery Australia: NGA 2012.1466
National Library Australia: Bib ID 1165394
Royal Collection Trust: RCIN 1142204
Silent World: SF000022
State Library NSW: D Q78/26
State Library Victoria: RARELTF 994.02 P54V
References:
Crittenden, V. A Bibliography Of The First Fleet. ACT 1982 : 180
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976: 47
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 :. 1346
McCormick, T. First Views of Australia 1788-1825. Sydney: 1987
Wantrup, J. Australian Rare Books. Sydney 1987: pp.59-64, pp.127-128, p.345-5, ill. p.63
