(London): R(obert). Havell, Jr., 1830. Hand-colored engraving with aquatint and etching, on J. Whatman watermarked paper, dated 1830. Engraved, printed, and colored by Havell, Jr. Light to moderate toning along edges, light mat burn in same; spotting in top edge and upper left corner, scattered light spotting in lower half; scattered light soiling; small repaired closed tear in bottom center edge. 38 7/8 x 25 11/16 in. (987 x 652 mm). In mat and in frame, 49 1/4 x 39 1/8 in. (1251 x 994 mm). Low, pp. 75-76, variant 1

Audubon's striking image of a fish hawk, also known as an osprey, plate 81 from his Birds of America (London, 1827-38). "Painting and plate depict one bird flying with a large Weakfish in its talons...In the plate, sea and cliffs were added in the distance. There is more color in the plate...Audubon undoubtedly painted it in the summer of 1829, when he was in New Jersey. It is a matter of wonderment that this plate, one of this author's favorites, has never achieved the popularity of prints such as the Flamingo or the Great Blue Heron. Surely, with the powerful, dramatically painted wings, it ranks as one of the most stunning of Audubon's prints." (Low)