McGill Library
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H3A 0C9
Golden Oriole
Eurasian Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolus
Item
1 watercolour painting ; 56 x 39 cm + 1 leaf
Peter Paillou was born in London into a Huguenot family and was recognised in his own time as an eminent ‘bird painter’. In 1744 he began to paint for Taylor White and worked for him for almost thirty years, painting chiefly birds and mammals. He painted as well for Robert More, Joseph Banks, and for the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant. Many of his paintings of birds were used as the basis for book illustrations, often engraved by his colleague and fellow Huguenot, Peter Mazell. Paillou was elected to the Society of Artists and in 1763 he exhibited ‘A Piece of Birds, in Watercolours; the Hen of the Wood and Cock of the Red Game’. In 1778, to considerable approval, he also showed a picture of ‘A Horned Owl from Peru’, completely made from feathers.
Drawing of a Eurasian Golden Oriole from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: Europe, Africa, India, the Middle East, and Central Asia.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Manuscript note on front of drawing: Golden Oriole (Orioles oriolus)
Scientific name: Oriolus oriolus
With manuscript text on accompanying leaf.
Transcription of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Aves Picae Oriolus
Galbula
Oriolus luteus loris artubusque
nigris. Rectricibus exterioribus postice
flavis. L.S.N. 160 ed. nov.
coracias Oriolus Faun. Svec. 95
Oriolus Gesn. Av. 713. Briss. p av. 2: p.320.
Turdus luteus. Frisch. av. p. 31
Picus nidum suspendens: Aldrov. orn. 1
p. 854 t. 857. 858.
Galbula Will. orn. 147 t. 38. 36 Raji. av 68 n5
Galbula Benghalensis Ed. av. 185 t 185
Clorion. Gesn. av. 261
Avis benghalensis. Alb. av. 3. p. 19 t. 20
Habitat in Europa & india orientalis
victitat insectis baccis nidus e foliis
urceolatis in ramificationibus arborum.
Translation of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Aves Picae Oriolus
Galbula
Oriolus luteus [The yellow oriole] with a black lore and black limbs [wings]; and outer flight feathers on the tail that are golden-yellow at the bottom. L.S.N. 160 ed. nov.
coracias Oriolus Faun. Svec. 95
Oriolus Gesn. Av. 713. Briss. av. 2: p.320.
Turdus luteus. Frisch. av. p. 31
Picus nidum suspendens [The "hanging nest bird"]: Aldrov. orn. 1
p. 854 t. 857. 858.
Galbula Will. orn. 147 t. 38. 36 Raji. av 68 n5
Galbula Benghalensis Ed. av. 185 t 185
Clorion. Gesn. av. 261
Avis benghalensis. Alb. av. 3. p. 19 t. 20
It lives in Europe and eastern India.
It feeds on insects and berries, and makes its nest from the
leaves of the urceolatus [urn heath] in the branches of trees.
"ith manuscript text on accompanying leaf.
Transcription of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Aves Picae Oriolus
Galbula
Oriolus luteus loris artubusque
nigris. Rectricibus exterioribus postice
flavis. L.S.N. 160 ed. nov.
coracias Oriolus Faun. Svec. 95
Oriolus Gesn. Av. 713. Briss. p av. 2: p.320.
Turdus luteus. Frisch. av. p. 31
Picus nidum suspendens: Aldrov. orn.