Early European illustration of a cassowary from New South Wales, Australia

John White was chief surgeon of the First Fleet and published an illustrated account of his voyage to New South Wales and the natural history encountered. The full title of this book is 'Journal of a voyage to New South Wales : with sixty-five plates of non descript animals, birds, lizards, serpents, curious cones of trees and other natural productions'

The plates were illustrated by Sarah Stone and Frederick Polydore Nodder, and the artists did not see the animals while alive. This means that many of the illustrations are slightly incorrect, with limbs or bodies not reflecting their actual appearance.

The University of Sydney Library holds two first edition copies of White's 'Journal of a voyage to New South Wales' in Rare Books and Special Collections, published in 1790. It also holds the first French edition, published in 1795.