The Birds of Australia, Vol. 2 of 7

"The Birds of Australia, Vol. 2 of 7" by John Gould is a scientific publication written in the mid-19th century. This volume focuses on various species of birds native to Australia, providing detailed descriptions, habitats, and behaviors of each bird species discussed. As an ornithological exploration, it enriches the reader's understanding of Australia’s unique avifauna through meticulous observations and illustrations. At the start of the volume, Gould discusses diverse species of nightjars and other birds, detailing their physical characteristics, behaviors, and the nuances of their habitats across Australia. He recounts personal encounters with many of these birds while wandering through Australian forests, describing their feeding patterns, nesting habits, and the variations in plumage among individuals. The opening sets the tone for an in-depth exploration, blending scientific observation with vivid storytelling of the author's firsthand experiences with these remarkable creatures. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Gould was an English ornithologist who published monographs on birds, illustrated by plates produced by his wife, Elizabeth Gould, and several other artists, including Edward Lear, Henry Constantine Richter, Joseph Wolf and William Matthew Hart. He has been considered the father of bird study in Australia and the Gould League in Australia is named after him. His identification of the birds now nicknamed "Darwin's finches" played a role in the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Gould's work is referenced in Charles Darwin's book, On the Origin of Species.