Edward Lear started drawing for a living at the aged of 16, as an "ornithological draughtsman" employed by the Zoological Society.
His first publication at the age of 19 was "Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae" (Parrots) in 1830.
Red and yellow Maccaw (Ara macao)
Alexandrine Parakeet or Alexandrian Parrot (Psittacula eupatria)
Kuhl´s Lorikeets (Vini kuhlii)
Between 1832 and 1838, he created 80 bird portraits for the naturalist John Gould.
These are considered by many people, the world’s best ornithological illustrations.
The lithography plates were coloured by hand.
