Animal: Exploring the Zoological World

Iceland, or Jer Falcon (Falco Islandicus), plate 366 From Birds of america By John James audubon

Never having encountered gyrfalcons, or Iceland falcons, before, Audubon studied the birds closely, noting their similarities to the peregrine falcon, climbing cliffs to examine their (empty) nests and dissecting and skinning the bodies. The largest of all the falcons, they live mainly along the coasts of the Arctic. He painted them through the night as rain dripped from the ship’s rigging on to his paper and paints; with characteristic overstatement, he called it “one of the severest tasks which I ever performed”.

Animal: Exploring the Zoological World, published by Phaidon, is available now. RRP £39.95