Ornithological Biography

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Ornithological Biography, or, an Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States of America; Accompanied by Descriptions of the Objects Represented in the Work Entitled The Birds of America, and Interspersed with Delineations of American Scenery and Manners. Philadelphia: J. Dobson [etc.], 1831-39. 5 vols.

Audubon separately published these volumes of text, originally intended to accompany Birds of America, to avoid having to deposit copies of his expensive masterpiece at nine libraries throughout Great Britain. British copyright law (1709) required copies to be preserved at designated libraries, thereby calling for the production of additional copies above and beyond the subscriptions received.

Written to resemble a journal, these narratives vividly detail Audubon's experience in the field through his powers of observation and serve as a window to life on the American frontier. In it, he describes the 435 species detailed in Birds of America. Audubon received help with English writing from his wife, and assistance with scientific details from William MacGillivray.