Birds

Lacing Pattern: The lacing pattern in pigeons is most commonly observed on the wing feathers, but it can also appear on other parts of the body, such as the neck, back, or tail. The border or edging color is typically darker or lighter than the main color of the feather. This creates a beautiful contrast, giving the pigeon a lacy or scalloped appearance.

Feather Structure: The lacing effect is created by a combination of feather structure and coloration. The feathers of laced pigeons have a specific structure that allows the contrasting color to extend along the feather edge. Feather structure and pigmentation play a role in determining the width and sharpness of the lacing.

Breeds: Laced patterns can be found in various pigeon breeds, each with its own distinct characteristics and lacing patterns. Some popular laced pigeon breeds include the English Laced Tumbler, Lahore Laced Tumbler, and Indian Fantail Laced Pigeon.

Color Varieties: Laced pigeons come in a wide range of colors and lacing combinations. The base colors can be solid, such as black, blue, red, yellow, or white, and the lacing color can vary accordingly. This allows for a variety of striking and visually appealing combinations.

The discovery of an ancient burial or ceremonial site in the upriver region of the Churunga Valley, in far south Peru, received little attention in the turbulent world of 1943. Decades later, it would take two generations of Andean scholars to painstakingly piece together the puzzling story of this discovery, which included the largest and most spectacular find of Precolumbian Peruvian feather work to date.

Appearance: Silver Laced Wyandottes have a medium-sized, compact body with a broad, rounded shape. They have a striking feather pattern characterized by a silver or white base color with black lacing. The lacing creates a beautiful, intricate pattern that covers the entire body, including the neck, back, wings, and tail. The feathers have a glossy appearance.

Dual-Purpose Breed: Silver Laced Wyandottes are considered a dual-purpose breed, meaning they are valued both for their egg-laying abilities and meat production. They are known for their excellent meat quality and productivity as well as their reliable egg production.

Egg Production: Silver Laced Wyandottes are known for being good layers of large brown eggs. On average, they can lay around 200 to 220 eggs per year, depending on factors such as diet, environment, and individual genetics. They are considered reliable layers, even in colder climates.

Temperament: Silver Laced Wyandottes are known for their calm and friendly temperament, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks and family farms. They are generally docile, easy to handle, and adaptable to different environments. They can be quite curious and enjoy foraging.

This plate belongs to a category of earthenware known as spatterware, characterized by the distinctive grounds used for decoration. Typically, the colored ground is achieved by blowing powder onto the clay body before firing, resulting in an irregular appearance that resembles sponged patterns. The design on the plate reflects a popular pattern and color palette commonly found on English spatterware. The skilled execution of both the ground and the pea fowl motif marks it as an exceptional example of this type of ceramic.

The precision in depicting the lines of the pea fowl, along with the vibrant colors used in the palette, greatly contributes to the plate's visual appeal. This fine craftsmanship provides evidence of why spatterware was highly sought after in nineteenth-century Britain. The exquisite handling of the design and color demonstrates the artistry and appeal that made spatterware widely cherished during that period.

Diversity: Kingfishers belong to the family Alcedinidae, which consists of over 90 species worldwide. They are found in various habitats, including forests, wetlands, and coastal areas, across almost all continents except Antarctica.

Brilliant Plumage: Many kingfisher species exhibit stunning, vibrant plumage with a combination of colors like blue, green, orange, and white. The colors are iridescent and can appear differently depending on the lighting conditions.

Aquatic Lifestyle: Kingfishers are well adapted for an aquatic lifestyle and are often found near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and coastlines. They primarily feed on fish but also consume other aquatic creatures like frogs, crustaceans, and insects.

Diving and Hunting: Kingfishers are skilled hunters and have a unique hunting technique. They perch on a branch or a low-hanging limb near the water, patiently observing their surroundings. When they spot a prey item, they plunge into the water headfirst, using their sharp beak to snatch the prey with precision. They can dive from perches and reach depths of up to 4-5 feet (1-1.5 meters).

Sharp Beak: The beak of a kingfisher is long, sharp, and pointed, perfectly adapted for catching and gripping fish. It is also used to dig burrows in muddy riverbanks or sandbanks where they nest and raise their young.

Reliefs or sculptures from the Small Late Period and Ptolemaic era offer a unique perspective, portraying subjects in a partial or unfinished manner while being complete objects themselves. These artifacts form a distinctive category. Often, guidelines resembling those given to artists are prominently displayed as part of the object. However, it is noteworthy that many of these pieces do not conform to the traditional formal Egyptian representation.

Within this group, one can find representations of personifications of kingship, emerging demigods like Imhotep and Amenhotep Son of Hapu, as well as popular gods such as Harpokrates or Isis. These figures dominate the corpus of this class of reliefs and sculptures.

It is believed that these pieces, sometimes referred to as "sculptor's models/votives" by Egyptologists, might have served as offerings in a donation practice, potentially linked to the extensive temple construction during that period. Unfortunately, little is known about the precise mechanics of this donation tradition.

One such relief displays the swallow hieroglyph as its subject.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance: Cranes hold great symbolic value in many cultures around the world. They are often associated with longevity, good fortune, and wisdom. In Japanese culture, the crane is regarded as a symbol of happiness and eternal youth. Additionally, cranes feature prominently in various mythologies and folklores, representing different concepts such as grace and fidelity.

Courtship Dance: Cranes are famous for their elaborate courtship dances, which involve a series of synchronized movements and calls. These dances can be quite intricate, with wing flapping, bowing, jumping, and even throwing objects into the air. The dances serve as a bonding ritual between mating pairs and help establish and reinforce their relationships.

Impressive Physical Traits: Cranes exhibit several remarkable physical features. They have long, slender legs and necks, enabling them to wade through shallow waters and forage for food. The Sarus Crane holds the distinction of being the tallest flying bird, standing at an impressive height of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters). Cranes also possess a specialized trachea that allows them to produce resonant, trumpeting calls that can carry over long distances.

Long-Distance Migrations: Many crane species undertake extraordinary long-distance migrations, traveling thousands of miles between their breeding grounds and wintering sites. The most famous example is the Whooping Crane, which travels from breeding grounds in Canada and the United States to wintering grounds in Texas and Mexico, covering a distance of around 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers). These migrations are a testament to their endurance and navigational abilities.

Trade cards from the "Birds of the Tropics" series (N38), issued in 1889 in a set of 50 cards to promote Allen & Ginter brand cigarettes. This series is a physically larger version of the "Birds of the Tropics" set (N5), including the corresponding small card design with other pictorial matter added.