Mark Catesby - Caprimulgus minor Americanus, The Whip-poor-Will; Aureliana Canadensis, The Ginseng, or Ninsin of the Chinese.

Mark Catesby was an English naturalist who studied flora and fauna in the New World. Between 1729 and 1747 Catesby published his Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, the first published account of the flora and fauna of North America. It included 220 plates of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, mammals and plants.

More Illustrations in Book: The natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands (View all 220)

Lacertus griseus, The Lion-Lizard; Viscum.

Lacertus griseus, The Lion-Lizard; Viscum. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Perdix sylvestris Virginiana, The American Partridge; Lilio narcissus Virginiensis, The Attamusco Lily.

Perdix sylvestris Virginiana, The American Partridge; Lilio narcissus Virginiensis, The Attamusco Lily. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Quercus folio non serrato, in summitate quasi triangulo, Water Oak; Picus capite toto rubro, The red headed Woodpecker.

Quercus folio non serrato, in summitate quasi triangulo, Water Oak; Picus capite toto rubro, The red headed Woodpecker. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Acacia foliis amplioribus; Papilio diurna, prima, omnium maxima.

Acacia foliis amplioribus; Papilio diurna, prima, omnium maxima. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Ardea Stellaris minima, The small Bittern; Fracinus &c.

Ardea Stellaris minima, The small Bittern; Fracinus &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Cancer Chelis Rubris, The res-claw Crab; Titanokeratophyton &c.

Cancer Chelis Rubris, The res-claw Crab; Titanokeratophyton &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Sciurus Volans, The Flying-Squirrel; Guajacana.

Sciurus Volans, The Flying-Squirrel; Guajacana. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Bagre &c., The Cat-Fish.

Bagre &c., The Cat-Fish. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Pica luteo-nigra varia, The Yellow and Black Pye; Lilio-Narcissus Polianthus; Vespa Ichneumon coerulea.

Pica luteo-nigra varia, The Yellow and Black Pye; Lilio-Narcissus Polianthus; Vespa Ichneumon coerulea. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Perca &c., The Negro-Fish; Perca cauda nigra, The Black-Tail.

Perca &c., The Negro-Fish; Perca cauda nigra, The Black-Tail. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Accipiter Piscatorius, The Fishing Hawk.

Accipiter Piscatorius, The Fishing Hawk. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Anas minor, The Buffel’s Head Duck.

Anas minor, The Buffel’s Head Duck. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Cuculus Caroliniensis, The Cockow of Carolina; Castinea [Castanea] pumila Virginiana.

Cuculus Caroliniensis, The Cockow of Carolina; Castinea [Castanea] pumila Virginiana. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Carduelis Americanus, The American Goldfinch; Acacia abruoe foliis &c., Acacia.

Carduelis Americanus, The American Goldfinch; Acacia abruoe foliis &c., Acacia. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Hirundo cauda aculeata Americana, The American Swallow; Lilium angustifolium flore rubro singulari.

Hirundo cauda aculeata Americana, The American Swallow; Lilium angustifolium flore rubro singulari. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
View all 220 Artworks