(London): R(obert). Havell, 1834. Variant 1. Hand-colored engraving with aquatint and etching, on J. Whatman Turkey Mill watermarked paper, dated 1834. Engraved, printed, and colored by Havell, after a painting by Audubon. Modern paper mounted along left and right edges; light mat burn and foxing along edges; two small repaired closed tears in right edge, other very small chips in same and bottom edge; lower left edge likely very slightly trimmed. 38 1/8 x 25 3/8 in. (968 x 644 mm). In mat and in frame, 49 x 36 1/4 in. (1245 x 921 mm). Low, pp. 131-132

Audubon's striking image of a hooping crane, plate CCXXVI from his Birds of America (London, 1827-38). "Painting and plate depict one bird about to eat a baby alligator. Another baby alligator lies on his back nearby. In the distance, water and trees can be seen. Audubon wrote in his journal that on November 20, 1821, near New Orleans, his hunter brought him a superb specimen. He painted the bird, added to it from time to time, and completed it later. Audubon called both this bird and the Sandhill Crane in CCLXI 'Hooping Cranes.' He thought the Sandhill was the young of the Whooper, although they are, of course, two species" (Low).