McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
Rock Dove, Rock Pigeon. Smyrna Runt
Columba livia
P. Paillou November 1744;
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 Smyrna Runt Rock Dove--also known as a Rock Pigeon--from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: worldwide].
Manuscript note on front of drawing: P. Paillou November 1744;
Manuscript note on back of drawing: Smyrna Smaller Runt
Scientific name: Columba livia
With manuscript text on accompanying leaf.
Transcription of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Hispanica
Columba cinerea, remigibus rectricibus
plumis pedum rostroque albis.
L.S.N. p. 163
Translation of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Hispanica
Columba cinerea [The ash-coloured…] with white flight feathers
on the wings and tail, white feathers on the feet, and a white beak.
L.S.N. p. 163