Can anyone identify this bird, depicted in an unsigned watercolour probably made in 18th century? It is labelled "The Water Lark or Bather" but I can only find one late 19th century source which equates "Water Lark" with Water Pipit (that is, about a century after this painting would have been completed). If the painting is life-size, which is very likely, the bird's height was around 12cm and the length (tip of tail to tip of beak) was around 17cm. The source of the specimen is not stated but the painting is associated with either England or (?eastern) North America.
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18th century painting from Europe or N.America (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter waterlark
- Start date
Welcome to BirdForum Waterlark. I think either Water Pipit or Rock Pipit (the two were regarded as the same species until a few decades ago) might be a reasonable possibility as to what this is supposed to be. I suspect it's not a really accurate picture of what it's supposed to be, so it's maybe hard to be certain though.
birdboybowley
Well-known member.....apparently so ;)
I dunno....for 18th century it's pretty accurate - I'd say Rock Pipit
Swannery Steve
Well-known member
American Dipper?
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
When were they first lumped, though? Rock Pipit was originally described as a species (Alauda petrosa — Rock Lark), it was only much later (late 19th or early 20th century?) that it was reduced to a subspecies of Water Pipit.
An interesting suggestion, which would go along with the coloration, general form, and name given. I see two problems, however: the tail is too long - even if it were drawn from a specimen and it is hard to imagine that an 18th Century European artist would have access to one - they are very much a western North American bird.
The picture shown was one of fourteen colour plates painted by a a Mark Catesby in the 18th century. The book they were painted for was called "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and Bahama Islands", so I think it is a bird from (or previously from) that corner of the world. I don't know what that rules out or in to be honest.
The labelling on the picture also seems to indicate Water Lark of Bather, indicating Bather may be a place. Although "of" might well be a misread of "or".
http://www.themorgan.org/drawings/item/122877
The labelling on the picture also seems to indicate Water Lark of Bather, indicating Bather may be a place. Although "of" might well be a misread of "or".
http://www.themorgan.org/drawings/item/122877
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I think American Dipper is a good suggestion, particularly as the OP said the bird is labelled Water Lark or Bather. Bather describes the behaviour of American Dipper very well. I appreciate this is a western species, however, the OP only speculated that the painting was 18th C, it could be later.
How could it be later? The artist was dead by 1749. And were there American Dippers in Florida/Carolina/Bahamas in the 18th century?
Jeff Hopkins
Just another...observer
It reminds me of a juvenile American Robin.
Not sure how that translates to "water lark", tho.
Not sure how that translates to "water lark", tho.
It is Mark Catesby, a pretty well known artist/naturalist. A quick search of Google Images did not find this bird, but a bit of searching under that name should turn it up.
AlinoVegano
Well-known member
American/Water Pipit for me. Note that the wing structure is even right! The beak is ok, some buffish on breast (Buff-bellied Pipit!) with some streak (no Dipper here), dark legs... all is fine imo.
Probably didn't make the cut as no one then could work out what it was either.
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
AlinoVegano
Well-known member
But no white sides to the tail . . .
If it is drawn from a field observation, it makes sense, white can be concealed or weak on the closed tail.
http://www.alanmurphyphotography.com/K6/American-Pipit-3.jpg
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