Mark Catesby - The Purple Martin (Hirundo purpurea)

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 Artworks by Mark Catesby (View all 404 Artworks)

Psitticus Caroliniensis, The Parrot of Carolina.

Psitticus Caroliniensis, The Parrot of Carolina. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
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)
Muscicapa fusca, the little brown Flycatcher; Muscicapa oculis rubris, The red Eyed Flycatcher; Arbor Lauri fol. &c.

Muscicapa fusca, the little brown Flycatcher; Muscicapa oculis rubris, The red Eyed Flycatcher; Arbor Lauri fol. &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Calyculato &c., Winter’s Bark; Anguis gracilis fuscus, The Ribbon-Snake.

Calyculato &c., Winter’s Bark; Anguis gracilis fuscus, The Ribbon-Snake. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Accepiter cauda forcipater furcata, The Swallow-Tail Hawk.

Accepiter cauda forcipater furcata, The Swallow-Tail Hawk. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Accipiter minor, The little Hawk.

Accipiter minor, The little Hawk. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Cornus mas Odorata, Sassasras; Muscicapa Corona rubra, TheTyrant.

Cornus mas Odorata, Sassasras; Muscicapa Corona rubra, TheTyrant. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Piscium, serpentum, insectorum, aliorumque nonnullorum animalum nec non plantarum quarundam imagines Pl.100

Piscium, serpentum, insectorum, aliorumque nonnullorum animalum nec non plantarum quarundam imagines Pl.100 (1777)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Hirundo Marina, The Noddy.

Hirundo Marina, The Noddy. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker; The smallest spotted Woodpecker; White Oak; The White Oak with sharp notches.

The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker; The smallest spotted Woodpecker; White Oak; The White Oak with sharp notches. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Caput Phoenicopteri, The Bill of the Flamingo in its full dimensions; Keratophyton &c.

Caput Phoenicopteri, The Bill of the Flamingo in its full dimensions; Keratophyton &c. (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)
Unicornis piscis, The Bahama Unicorn-Fish; The form of a Tooth.

Unicornis piscis, The Bahama Unicorn-Fish; The form of a Tooth. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Piscium, serpentum, insectorum, aliorumque nonnullorum animalum nec non plantarum quarundam imagines Pl.044

Piscium, serpentum, insectorum, aliorumque nonnullorum animalum nec non plantarum quarundam imagines Pl.044 (1777)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Accipiter Palumbarius, The Pigeon-Hawk.

Accipiter Palumbarius, The Pigeon-Hawk. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)