Engraving, "Cow Buntings, Maryland Yellow Throat, Blue Gray Flycatcher, White Eyed Flycatcher," 1808-1813

Alexander Wilson, encouraged by naturalist William Bartram, began to document the birds of the United States in the early years of the 19th century. His paintings, drawings and descriptions formed the basis of a proposed ten-volume set called American Ornithology. Wilson completed nine volumes by the time of his death in 1813. His work predates that of John James Audubon by nearly twenty years.