Description
Rare c.18th engraving of the Superb Fairy-wren, from the foundation study of Australian fauna, by Surgeon John White.
The first specimen of the Superb Fairy-wren was collected by William Anderson, surgeon and naturalist on Captain James Cook’s third voyage in 1777 when it visited Adventure Bay, Tasmania. He named it Motacilla cyanea but did not live to publish his findings, these were described by his assistant William Ellis n 1782.
Modern common names; Superb Fairy-wren, Superb Blue Wren, Fairy Wren
Modern binomial name; Malurus cyaneus
First described; Ellis, 1782
Distribution; SA, VIC, TAS, NSW, QLD
From John White’s, Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales
References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 97.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 1858.
Nissen, C. Die illustrierten Vogelbucher. Stuttgart 1995 ZBI 4390.
Abbey, J.R. Travel in Aquatint and Lithography 1770-1860. London 1972 605.
Wantrup, J. Australian Rare Books. Sydney 1987 17.
Crittenden, V. A Bibliography Of The First Fleet. ACT 1982 248.
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 87340
State Library New South Wales: Call Number: MRB/Q991/2A2
National Gallery Victoria: Accession Number2012.31
State Library Victoria: CCF 919.44 W58
National Museum of Australia: Object number 2007.0035.0001
