6 SN.IGS 'FI5a THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY Pe? F95a ALBUM OF ABYSSINIAN BIRDS AND MAMMALS FROM PAINTINGS BY LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CHICAGO, U.S. A. Through the generosity of Mr. C. Suydam Cutting, Field Museum is privi- leged to present in the accompanying portfolio a selected series of reproduc- tions of the last work of the late Louis Agassiz Fuertes. The original paintings, made on the Field Museum-—Chicago Daily News Abyssinian Expedition of 1926-27, were purchased by Mr. Cutting, after the artist’s untimely death, and presented to the Museum. The great popularity and the prominence of Mr. Fuertes as the leading American painter of birds, together with the opinion freely expressed that these final studies represented the height of his power, brought a demand for their reproduction in some form that would make them available to a wide circle. When this became known to Mr. Cutting he promptly and most generously guaranteed the cost, with the result here produced. The Field Museum—Chicago Daily News Abyssinian Expedition was doubly fortunate in having Mr. Fuertes as one of its members. His talent and skill as an artist and ornithologist were scarcely less important than his charm of personality and his unfailing loyalty. This expedition traversed a large part of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), making collections which cover a wide variety of condi- tions. The opportunity it gave Fuertes for life studies of African birds was varied and unusual. Theretofore engaged solely in painting American birds, he found a tremendous enthusiasm in a new field and plunged into it with joyous abandon and tireless energy. The conditions under which he worked were ideal for him, although to a less versatile painter they might have been distressing instead of stimulating. A large expedition constantly on the march offers extraor- dinary opportunities for observing birds under various environments, but it also presents many practical difficulties for a painter. As all recognized who knew him, Louis Fuertes was a man of many talents. He sometimes spoke of himself as an ornithologist first and a painter afterward and certain it is that the two were most effectively combined in him. When hunting and observing birds, no trail was too rough for him, and at the skinning table no hours too long. With gun in hand he was a hunter and collector, having no qualms at the shedding of blood; but with a freshly killed bird before him, he was the impressionable artist and would sit stroking its feathers in a detached ecstasy, wholly oblivious of companions or surroundings. Pure beauty in all things fascinated him, and the exquisite combinations of color and texture shown by many small birds were his constant joy. It is significant, however, that his favorites among all birds were the faleons—the swiftest, boldest, and most dashing of their kind. The affiliations which Fuertes made with Field Museum and other institu- tions were mutually advantageous and usually so arranged that he retained originals of sketches and paintings for himself, while specimens collected were shared; but so conscientious was he that what some might have considered his own interest was often neglected. He was a good shot and ardent hunter, and had such an inexpressible joy in the living bird and its surroundings that he would forget everything else, including his painting. In Abyssinia he collected birds for the Museum so assiduously that there was little time left for painting, although a more selfish person might have done the reverse. Altogether, he collected and personally prepared, labeled, and packed no less than one thousand bird skins—a good record, even if no painting had been done. This artist-naturalist possessed unlimited patience at the skinning table and the drawing board, but otherwise it was not always evident, and at times his impetuosity nearly brought on disaster. His first day in Africa was in Djibouti on the hot coast of the Red Sea, and while others made necessary arrangements for progress inland or sipped cool drinks on the hotel veranda, he slipped out of the settlement, dodging local gendarmes, and in the sweltering heat shot seven- teen small birds which were skinned with penknives that night in the hotel. The next day on the inland train, after it had crossed the Abyssinian border but before customs formalities, he was tantalized by unknown birds seen at a distance. Finally, at a small station, over the heads of a gaping and jabbering crowd of Abyssinians, a beautiful blue roller alighted on the telephone wire. Fuertes could stand it no longer but dove into his luggage for a small shot pistol and started out of the standing train intent on having the bird in his hands, come what might. It required the combined efforts of the four other members of the party, with argument and at least with threatened force, to convince him that the bird was not worth the almost inevitable altercation with bystanders which would follow. This was characteristic, and similar incidents took place from time to time throughout the trip. The sight of a new bird might at any time cause Fuertes to abandon in a flash all practical considerations, his own safety or comfort, plans for the day, and hopes for the morrow. As Dr. F. M. Chapman has said, “That instinctive, inexplicable passion for birds which arouses an uncontrollable desire to know them intimately in their haunts and to make them part of our lives, and which overcomes every obstacle until, in a measure at least, this longing is gratified, is the heritage of the elect; and few have been more richly endowed than Louis Fuertes.” The total number of paintings made by Fuertes in Abyssinia is 108, including a few of mammals and a few mere sketches of birds, scarcely more than records of the fugitive colors of soft and unfeathered parts which are altered in the pre- served specimen. As intimated above, the number might have been much greater, but his passion for the living bird was so intense and his loyalty to the expedition and to the Museum so marked that his time was spent largely in hunting, observ- ing, and preparing specimens. Since the painting required daylight, it would often be done at the expense of the skinning which was then accomplished by candlelight far into the night hours. Under these conditions it is remarkable that such splendid results were obtained. The painting was in almost all cases done in the tent, the artist sitting on his sleeping cot and his materials and speci- mens scattered all about him. His technique was something secure and mastered and rarely offered him any difficulty. Sometimes a picture would be finished within an hour and seldom did one occupy more than two hours. Occasionally one would be taken up on a later day for finishing, and a few were left for final touches when he should be returned to the quiet of his own studio. He was limited to one size of sheet on which to work and, since all subjects were done in natural size, the larger birds could not be shown entire. Nevertheless, there was pictorial quality and subtle feeling in nearly every subject and, although many must be regarded merely as studies, they all reflect the power and genius of their creator. If it be true, as many have felt, that this series of paintings represents high- water mark in the artist’s career as well as its termination, the explanation may perhaps be found in the joyous, high pitch to his spirits, which was maintained throughout the Abyssinian expedition. From beginning to end, he was like a boy let out of school. His enjoyment of every feature of the expedition, scientific, practical, and social, was intense and exuberant. He was under no irksome com- pulsions, and the pictures he painted were of his own free choosing with no regard to whether or not they might ever be sold or put to any definite use. Spontaneous expression of his pencil and brush, therefore, was natural and easy. The thirty-two subjects presented herewith have been selected from the larger number the originals of which are preserved in Field Museum. They include four studies of mammals and twenty-eight of birds, among which the proportion of raptorial species is rather large, these being the artist’s favorites. They have been reproduced by offset lithography in eight and sometimes nine colors. Proofs have been very carefully scrutinized and, in practically all cases, complete fidelity to the originals has been obtained. ; WILFRED H. OSGOOD, Curator of Zoology November, 1930 Se) ad are eek eee ae Eo lll pall atl = ol S00 Sak aS ONO Ot Se 20. LIST OF SUBJECTS . Cape Teal. Anas capensis (Gmelin). Spur-winged Goose. Plectropterus gambensis (Linnaeus). Secretary Bird. Sagittarius serpentarius (Miller). White-necked Vulture. Pseudogyps africanus (Salvadori). Lappet-faced Vulture. Torgos tracheliotus nubicus Smith. White-headed Vulture. T'rigonoceps occipitalis (Burchell). Egyptian Vulture. Neophron percnopterus (Linnaeus). Abyssinian Lanner. Falco biarmicus abyssinicus Neumann. African Swallow-tailed Kite. Chelictinea riocourii (Vieillot and Oudart). Black-shouldered Kite. Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines). African Tawny Eagle. Aquila rapax raptor Brehm. Bateleur Eagle. Terathopius ecaudatus (Daudin). Bateleur Eagle. Terathopius ecaudatus (Daudin). African Sea Eagle. Cuncuma vocifer Daudin. African Sea Eagle (Immature). Cuncuma vocifer Daudin. Bearded Vulture. Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis (Keys. and Blas.). African Harrier Hawk. Gymnogenys typicus (Smith). Black-bellied Bustard. Lissotis melanogaster (Riippell). Lowe’s Sand-grouse. Eremialector quadricinctus-lowei Grant. Green Pigeon. Vinago waalia (Meyer). _ Gray Plantain-eater. Crinifer zonurus (Riippell). Pigmy Kingfisher. Corythornis cristata (Pallas). Gray-headed Kingfisher. Halcyon leucocephala (Miiller). Crested Hornbill. Bycanistes cristatus (Riippell). African Night Heron. Nycticorax leuconotus (Wagler). Narina Trogon. Apaloderma narina (Stephens). Nile Helmet-shrike. Prionops concinnata Sundevall. Thick-billed Raven. Corvultur crassirostris Brehm. Abyssinian Wolf. Canis simensis Riippell. Gelada Baboon. Theropithecus gelada Riippell. Gelada Baboon. Theropithecus gelada Riippell. Abyssinian Duiker. Sylvicapra abyssinicus Thomas. FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CHICAGO, U.S. A. PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT ALBUM OF ABYSSINIAN BIRDS AND MAMMALS FROM PAINTINGS BY LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES Field Museum of Natural History takes pleasure in announcing the publication on November 17, 1930, of a portfolio of accurate lithographic reproductions of paintings of birds and mammals, made by the well-known American artist, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, while a member of the Field Museum—Chicago Daily News Abys- sinian Expedition of 1926-27. This portfolio, issued as a special publication of Field Museum, is made possible through a generous donation from Mr. C. Suydam Cutting, who was also a member of the above mentioned expedi- tion. The paintings made by Mr. Fuertes, consisting of 108 subjects, were purchased by Mr. Cutting after the artist’s untimely death and presented to the Museum. From'this collection, thirty- two of the finest have been selected and reproduced by offset lithography, and are enclosed in a portfolio of convenient form. The portfolio includes four studies of mammals and twenty- eight of birds, among which are many of the finest and most characteristic species of Abyssinia. A brief descriptive text accompanies the plates which are suitable for individual framing or for preservation as a collection. This album of ABYSSINIAN BIRDS AND MAMMALS is not avail- able on exchange. It is priced at $3.00 per portfolio, plus postage or other delivery charges. The weight, wrapped for mailing, is three pounds, six ounces. A limited de luxe edition, in attractive fabrikoid binding, is available at $5.00 per copy. Orders should be sent to the Director, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, U. S. A. STEPHEN C. SIMMS, Director November 17, 1930 Lithographed in U. S, A. Goes Litho. Co., Chicago LIBRARY OF THE qnuvercrry OF LLINGS ABYSSINIAN DUIKER Sylvicapra abyssinicus Thomas (Four-fifths natural size) The. duikers, of which there are many species in Africa, are small antelopes mostly less than twenty inches high. The name duiker is from the Dutch word meaning diver and refers to the reckless manner in which the animal leaps head first into a thicket when alarmed. Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Published by Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U.S. A. : Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No. 32. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals Lithographed in U. S.A, Goes Litho. Co., Chicago LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLNOIS GELADA BABOON Theropithecus gelada Rippell (Four-fifths natural size) The face of the geladababoondoes not have the doglike shape of other baboons. The nostrils are lateral in- stead of terminal, as in some of the smaller monkeys. There is no bright color in the face, but on the chest are naked areas of red. Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Published by ‘ Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U. S. A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No. 31. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals Lithographed in U. S. A. Goes Litho. Co., Chicago LIBRARY OF THE URIVERSTY OF ILLINGS GELADA BABOON Theropithecus gelada Riippell Although most African baboons. inhabit the warmer parts of the coun- try, this one prefers high mountains where the climate is relatively cool. It frequents rocky peaks and walls of steep canyons, which it scales with incredible ease and speed. Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Published by Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U. S. A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No. 30. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals __Lithographed in U.S. A. Goes Litho, Co., Chicago LIBRARY OF 7 Prarie hi OR ABYSSINIAN WOLF Canis simensis Rippell (Four-fifths natural size) This is a long-legged and slender- snouted canine found only in the mountains of Abyssinia. Although foxlike in its color, it is wolflike in habits, at least to the extent of going in small packs. It subsists Rtn on small rodents. Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Published by Field Museum of Natural History _ Chicago, U. S. A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No. 29. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals Q'H'®) FTL} ‘| | nON/ 95899) WW ( S1Sua wig a nNslgde \ as LIBRARY OF THE ‘UNIVERSITY OF LUNGS THICK. BILLED RAVEN Corvuttur crassirostris (Riippell) _ (Four-fifths natural size) This strikingly marked bird belongs to the crow family but is vulturine in habits and commonly feeds on car- rion in company with the vultures and kites. It frequents villages and camps where it acts as a scavenger. Pallead os life by _ Louis see Fuertes 5 Published by - Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U.S. A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No. 28, _ Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals Lithographed in U.S. A. Goes Litho. Co., Chicago LIBRARY OF THE priver aw NILE HELMET SHRIKE Prionops concinnata Sundevall J eae (Four-fifths natural size) The helmet shrikes are of restless disposition and travel about in flocks through the open woods, keeping in nearly continuous motion. Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Published by Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U. S. A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No, 27. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals 15 Ov1VLES WEST LAKE T'SANA, APRIL 6, 1927- Pri “ D ofas Cerneinnoaty NARINA TROGON ro ” Se. ene a B= 8a. oO > =... O > ore oe © aes f Qa = fo) ® ~~ — Pee ” o >To a £ e Sit r S ontEL2op n £ ‘tc ~ oo” £ wo a § Bog) we ee aie cts Q g ee ro) => 32> Sea cteegee fh eens c Cin er oe ee Sik g 5 Lat ee i eat ES 6 pao ne = o'6. 0 >9 £4 se 5 eg eek tees os @ 2°92 ‘ zy, “Q. Bveg Ss, EP Ease FS zeRi . Be Tig a of PS SO sé. Goee, ER DES. Ss 25 eed FSR eave > fie =} (ai 4 an Pas fees oe ae : = O85 Pet ae . eee say | | 22 cos ans = a ag Pa = te . 7 LIBRARY OF THE bia! janery OF TEM AFRICAN NIGHT HERON Nycticorax leuconotus (Wagler) (Four-fifths natural size) The very large eye of this species is in accord with its nocturnal habits. It is found mainly in west-central Africa, especially in the lowlands along the upper branches of the Nile and the Congo rivers. Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Pubiished by Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U.S. A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No. 25. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals Lithographed in U. S. A. _ Goes Litho. Co., Chicago /Ambo HotSprines QS MiLesS Wesror LAKE T'SANA - - APcil 7-1927- Nyeticorax leueonctus. J CRESTED HORNBILL Bycanistes cristatus (Rippell) (Four-fifths natural size) c The loud voice, noisy flight, and large size of these hornbills make them very conspicuous. They are forest birds and feed mainly on fruit. They sometimes gather in numbers to roost together. 3 Painted from life ip Louis Agassiz F cahaee . ‘Published iy “Field: ‘Museum of Natural H ; ~ 0 cf - in ) > fs les eristatos- oA Is t Lithographed in U. S. A. Goes Litho. Co., Chicago LIBRARY OF THE PxEHS —- teen GrAY-HEADED KINGFISHER Halcyon leucocephala (Miller) (Four-fifths natural size) This handsome bird is commonly found in the forests of central Africa as well as along the margins of streams. Its food consists of in- sects, small reptiles and fish. Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Published by Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U. S. A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting No. 23. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals LAKE T'sana. - April 7, 1927 - as yw au 2 rt a ral wy 3 - Corythornis cristata (Pallas) ‘SOEs ‘Four-fifths natural size) Phig tiny kingfisher is no larger ! than a sparrow. It feeds on water ati as well as very small min- wey Painted from life by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Published by “Field Museum of Natural History es Chicago, U. S.A. Through the generosity of C. Suydam Cutting ‘No. 22. Album of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals j tock and feeds on fruit, inhabiting mt ‘ ‘Painted ‘from life bi : rae ‘Agassiz Fuertes oe Published by Field Museum of Natural hai Lake (Sana. Mar34 1927; (Dengul bar: ) Crinifer zonatus ~ GREEN PIGEON Vinago waalia (Meyer) (Four-fifths natural size) A fine game bird, difficult to see when feeding quietly in green foliage. It is given to sudden and rapid flight which calls for prompt and accurate shooting on the part of the hunter. It frequents wild fig trees and feeds on ‘the fruit. Painted ee life by ee ie Louis raaie F Raa LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WLLINGIS LOWE’S SAND GROUSE Eremialector quadricinctus lowei (Grant) (Four-fifths natural size) Sand grouse are found singly or in flocks on sandy or pebbly ground where they are not easy to see, owing to their coloration which matches their surroundings. They are related” to the pigeons and also to the gal- linaceous birds. Painted from life by pee Louis Agassiz Fuertes "Published by oe. Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, U.S.A. — Through the venereal of ¢. Suydam Outting Tare. ; 19. Album of Ayasnian Birds aad Mammals 7 <= dee ; sae. Gawih od i on the nes grassy lain: ghee i It is considered a game bird andis hunted both for sport and for food, 6 2 ce its flesh LO va "Painted from life by Nn ies Louis Agassiz Fuertes — B 16. oe of Abyssinian Birds and Mammals 4 a ew ‘Be ANG