Thomas Bewick’s Birds Of Spitalfields
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Coming across an early copy of Thomas Bewick’s ‘History of British Birds’ from 1832 in the Spitalfields Market inspired me to publish this ornithological survey with illustrations courtesy of the great engraver.
I have always known these pictures – especially the cuts of the robin and the blackbird – yet they never cease to startle me with their vivid life, each time I return to marvel at the genius of Bewick in capturing the essence of these familiar creatures so superlatively.
The book reminded me of all the birds that once inhabited these fields and now are gone, yet it is remarkable how many varieties have persisted in spite of urbanisation. I have seen all of these birds in Spitalfields, even the woodpecker that I once spied from my desk, coming eye to eye with it while looking into a tree from a first floor window to discern the source of an unexpected tapping outside.
The Sparrow
The Starling
The Blue Tit
The Great Tit
The Pigeon
The Collared Dove
The Blackbird
The Crow
The Magpie
The Robin
The Thrush
The Wren
The Chaffinch
The Goldfinch
The House Swallow
The Jay
The Woodpecker
Pied Wagtail – spotted by Ash on the Holland Estate, Petticoat Lane
Rose-ringed Parrakeet – an occasional visitor to Allen Gardens
Heron – occasionally spotted flying overhead
Buzzard – spotted over Holland Estate, Petticoat Lane
Swift – spotted by Ian Harper around Christ Church
Raven – spotted by Ian Harper & Jim Howett around Christ Church
Kite – spotted by Ian Harper & Jim Howett around Christ Church
Long-tailed Tit – spotted in Wapping
Willow Warbler – spotted by Tony Valsamidis in Whitechapel
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Lucky you to find such an early edition! Do you know Jenny Uglow’s biography of Bewick? A really good read. All good wishes!
Bewick was a great illustrator but perhaps not so good an ornithologist: surely that is a wood pigeon rather than a collared dove?
How lovely to think these were once a common sight in Spitalfields, and sad that they are no longer.
Where I work in New Street, I hardly ever see a bird!!
That crow! He is a master and commander. Just look at the way he plants himself, and defies anyone to get in his business. A good friend of mine is a gifted bird photographer, and she
patiently explained the differences between ravens and crows. Clearly, there is a WORLD of
difference.
I have a whole Dover book of archival images by Bewick and have (selectively) used them in my collages. Even the backgrounds in these bird prints are quite lovely and evocative. His work was so precise, and yet never soulless.
Wonderful! Happy spring
All of these birds are still to be seen. in Spitalfields, Gail.