The birds that Audubon missed Discovery and desire in the American wilderness

Birder and naturalist Kaufman (A Season on the Wind, 2019) offers a compelling look at the ornithological rivalries of the early 1800s, noting specifically at the start that trying to pin down the details of Audubon's life and discoveries is like finding oneself in a "dimly lit hall of mirrors." This age of natural history discovery was an exciting period, pitting Audubon against other well-known ornithologists in a race to find and, equally importantly, name newly found bird species. But even these determined naturalists and artists missed a number of not-uncommon species in their quests to be the best. Kaufman muses on how Audubon would have painted these "missing" birds had he encountered them, then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaufman experimented with illustrating them in Audubon's style. Kaufman illuminates this key period and the competitions that jump-started it in a lively narrative in which he also weaves in his own experiences as a budding naturalist-become-science-historian. Kaufman's blend of history, science, art, biography, and memoir will intrigue birders and readers fascinated by the larger context.

In this splendid study, naturalist Kaufman (A Season on the Wind) examines 19th-century ornithologist John James Audubon's quest to document the birds of North America. Kaufman describes how in the 1830s, Audubon embarked on expeditions to southern Florida and northeastern Canada to find birds unknown to the late Alexander Wilson (1766--1813), whose ornithology writings were still regarded as authoritative. Audubon notched a few successes, such as discovering Bewick's Wren, but Kaufman focuses on Audubon's misses. These included such understandable omissions as the prairie falcon, which tends to travel alone and fly quickly. Others reveal the practical factors that shaped scientific knowledge in the 19th century. Ornithologists often identified birds from imprecise descriptions that could elide over subtle variations, so that some species went "undiscovered," mistaken for similar-looking birds. Audubon fell into this trap, failing to observe that the Swainson's thrush and gray-cheeked thrush were distinct species. The discerning attention Kaufman pays to overlooked corners of his subject's biography reveals Audubon's fabulist streak (he ginned up funds for his first book by inventing an eagle with a rumored 10-foot wingspan) and ethical lapses (he once passed off a hawk specimen from a fellow Academy of Natural Sciences member as his own). Kaufman includes his own illustrations of the birds discussed, gamely mimicking Audubon's style while bringing a sensibility distinctly his own. It's a high-flying study of Audubon's scientific contributions and major missteps. Illus. Agent: Wendy Strothman, Strothman Agency. (May)

A well-informed history of American birds and birding by an author with a lifetime of knowledge and passion for his subject. Kaufman, author of A Season on the Wind, is known for his bird guides and his leadership in conservation efforts. In his latest book, he weaves together several stories. He relates the history of early bird identification and the many missteps made by early naturalists. He recalls his own development, reevaluating John James Audubon, whose history as a slave owner, sloppy bird identifier, and claimant of others' discoveries has tarnished his reputation. Kaufman vividly re-creates the challenges early American naturalists encountered in their race to discover new birds. They labored without the tools birders take for granted today, and some of the bad guesses created decades of confusion. Audubon made his share of mistakes, including some that took years to correct, but his iconic Birds of America series of paintings and prints introduced American birds to the world. Kaufman even attempts to replicate Audubon's techniques, using the same methods and materials, and those re-creations highlight Audubon's accomplishments. The author balances Audubon's shortcomings with his immense accomplishments: "We know Audubon committed scientific fraud, plagiarizing some points and inventing others…but he also put forth extraordinary effort in seeking knowledge. Can we give him credit for the good work he did, while acknowledging all that was wrong?" It's a question American birders are still answering. General readers may get bogged down in chapters devoted to the subtle differences between birds in the same family, and Kaufman could have been more explicit about the extent of habitat destruction that has decimated bird populations. Still, he is a graceful writer, his commitment to his subject shines through, and the beautiful illustrations make this book a bird lovers' delight. A deeply satisfying read for anyone interested in birds and birding. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.