Mark Catesby - Platinus Occidentalis, The Western Plane-Tree; Muscicapa Rubra, The Summer Redbird.

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)

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

Caprimulgus minor Americanus, The Whip-poor-Will; Aureliana Canadensis, The Ginseng, or Ninsin of the Chinese. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Gugupuguacu, The Hind; Saliatrix, Skip-jack.

Gugupuguacu, The Hind; Saliatrix, Skip-jack. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Mellivora &c. , The Humming-bird; Bignonia &c., The Trumpet-Flower.

Mellivora &c. , The Humming-bird; Bignonia &c., The Trumpet-Flower. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Tapia &c.; Cancer terrestris, The Land-Crab.

Tapia &c.; Cancer terrestris, The Land-Crab. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Fringilla Bahamiensis, The Bahama Finch; Bignonia flore coeruleo, The broadleafed Guaiacum with blue flowers.

Fringilla Bahamiensis, The Bahama Finch; Bignonia flore coeruleo, The broadleafed Guaiacum with blue flowers. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Larus major, The Laughing Gull.

Larus major, The Laughing Gull. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Manghala &c.; Frutex &c.; Cancellus terrestris Bahamensis, The Hermit-Crab

Manghala &c.; Frutex &c.; Cancellus terrestris Bahamensis, The Hermit-Crab (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Frutex &c. ; Parus fringillaris, The Frinch-Greeper.

Frutex &c. ; Parus fringillaris, The Frinch-Greeper. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Parus luteus, The Yellow Titmous; Laurus Carolinensis, The Red Bay.

Parus luteus, The Yellow Titmous; Laurus Carolinensis, The Red Bay. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Mancanilla Pyri facie, The Mancaneel-Tree; Viscum foliis latioribus; Papilio medius &c.

Mancanilla Pyri facie, The Mancaneel-Tree; Viscum foliis latioribus; Papilio medius &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
An Recinoides &c., The Ilathera Bark; Anguis &c.; The Copper-belly Snake.

An Recinoides &c., The Ilathera Bark; Anguis &c.; The Copper-belly Snake. (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)
Vipera caudisona, The Rattle-Snake; The Section of a Rattle; A Rattle of Twenty-four joynts; A Tooth.

Vipera caudisona, The Rattle-Snake; The Section of a Rattle; A Rattle of Twenty-four joynts; A Tooth. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Passerculus bicolor Bahamiensis, The Bahama Sparrow; Bignonia Arbor Pentaphylla, Plum Cat.

Passerculus bicolor Bahamiensis, The Bahama Sparrow; Bignonia Arbor Pentaphylla, Plum Cat. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Magnolia, The Umbrella Tree.

Magnolia, The Umbrella Tree. (1754)

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