Background:

These hand-colored Bird prints are from a late-1800s edition of the History of Cage and Chamber-birds (Stubenvõgel) authored by the German physician and ornithologist J. M. Bechstein.

Originally published in Germany, and later in England, this work has been described as a "standard work of reference, not only to the mere Bird-fancier, but also to the scientific Ornithologist".  Topics in the accompanying text focused on the natural history, habits, food, diseases, management and modes of capture for each of the species.

The prints of Tropical birds from this series are based on illustrations by the famed British ornithological artist Edward Lear.