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This page lists the volumes of Audubon's Ornithological Biography which was published between 1831 and 1839. This five volume work comprises the text that accompanies the illustrations published in The Birds Of America - as explained in the full title:

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.

Birds Of America:
- Double Elephant edition
- Royal Octavo edition
- Later editions

Ornithological Biography

Other artwork books

Biographical books

Audubon's Journals

Miscellaneous

Ornithological Biography, Volume I

John James Audubon

1831

From the introductory address:

I shall therefore simply offer you the results of my own observation with respect to each of the species, in the order in which I have published the representations of them. Nor do I intend to annoy you with long descriptions, including the number and shape of the feathers, particularly in cases where the species are well known. Tables of synonyms I have also judged superfluous. Indeed, the technical descriptions and references you will find as appendages to the more generally interesting descriptions of the habits of each species; so that you may read them or not, just as you please. Yet, should you be inclined to enter into these matters, I trust you will find in these appendages descriptions constructed according to the strictest rules of science.

Ornithological Biography, Volume II

John James Audubon

1834

Opening of first section (Raven):

Leaving to compilers the task of repeating the mass of fabulous and unedifying matter that has been accumulated in the course of ages, respecting this and other remarkable species of birds, and arranging the materials which I have obtained during years of laborious but gratifying observation, I now resume my attempts to delineate the manners of the feathered denizens of our American woods and plains. In treating of the birds represented in the Second Volume of my Plates, as I have done with respect to those of the First, I will confine myself to the particulars which I have been able to gather in the course of a life chiefly spent in studying the birds of my native land, where I have had abundant opportunities of contemplating their manners, and of admiring the manifestations of the glorious perfections of their Omnipotent Creator.

Ornithological Biography, Volume III

John James Audubon

1835

From the introduction:

The number of new species described in the present volume is not great. Among them, however, you will find the largest true Heron hitherto discovered in the United States. I have corrected some errors committed by authors, and have added to our Fauna several species which, although described by European writers, had not been observed in America. The habits of many species previously unknown have also been given in detail. Having long ago observed, in works on the Birds of the United States, the omission of the females and the different appearances produced by the change of season in most water birds, I have represented the male accompanied by his mate, and, in as many instances as possible, the young also. The technical descriptions have been given at greater length than in the former volumes, with the view of preventing error even in com- paring dried skins with either the figures or the descriptions. I have also given the average measurement of the eggs, which I regret I had omitted to do in the other volumes; an error which I purpose to atone for by presenting you, in the last number of my Illustrations, with figures of all those which I have collected.

Ornithological Biography, Volume IV

John James Audubon

1838

Opening lines of the introduction:

Three years have nearly elapsed since I had the pleasure of presenting you with the third volume of my " Ornithological Biography," and about twelve since the first fasciculus of my V " Illustrations of the Birds of America" was submitted to your inspection. This work, comprising four hundred and thirty-five plates, and one thousand and sixty-five figures, was finished on the 20th of June 1838, without the continuity of its execution having been broken for a single day, and the numbers having been delivered with exemplary regularity; for all which I am indebted to my friend and Engraver, Mr Robert Havell. Once more surrounded by all the members of my dear family, enjoying the countenance of numerous friends who have never deserted me, and possessing a competent share of all that can render life agreeable, I look up with gratitude to the Supreme Being, and feel that I am happy.

Ornithological Biography, Volume V

John James Audubon

1839

From the introduction:

Now, Reader, you may well imagine how happy I am at this moment, when, like the traveller alluded to, I find my journeys all finished, my anxieties vanished, my mission accomplished ; and when I expect soon to see myself and my dearest friends seated beneath lofty and fragrant trees, listening to the gay carollings of the Mocking Bird, or the sweet though perhaps melancholy song of my favourite the Wood Thrush. Fishing-tackle, bird-nets, and a good gun, will then be often exchanged for the pencil and the pen ; and, although I can never entirely relinquish the pleasure of noting new facts in zoology, or of portraying natural objects, whether on canvass or on paper, I shall undertake few journeys, save short rambles for amuse- ment. If I have a regret at this moment, it is that I cannot transfer to you the whole of the practical knowledge which I have acquired during so many years of enthusiastic devotion to the study of nature.