Penny Olsen

The history of the Paradise Parrot - from its 'discovery' in the 1800s to its extinction in the 1920s and how claims of sightings have continued to the present day.

The Quest for the Beautiful Parrakeet

Glimpses of Paradise

'Romance is in all of us.'The Cohen sisters lived frugally, enjoyed mischief and flaunted their bohemian lifestyle. Raised in Melbourne and drawn to the tropics, their winters were spent painting, fishing and gardening on their tropical island in Far North Queensland. They mixed with prominent artists, writers, designers and academics longing for a more progressive, independent Australia. Lina Bryans, Arthur Boyd, Clif Pugh, Noel Wood and Ian Fairweather were among their friends and associates. The sisters' lives spanned the twentieth century, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the making of modern Australia. Beginning as wealthy, young socialites, they gradually shed their skin to become bohemians, painting and writing-more than anything, enjoying the milieu.

The Cohen Sisters

Artful Lives

For well over a century, the Night Parrot lured its seekers into Australia's vast, arid outback. From the beginning it was a mysterious bird. Fewer than 30 specimens were collected before it all but disappeared, offering only fleeting glimpses and the occasional mummified body as proof of its continued existence. Protected by spinifex and darkness, the parrot attained almost mythical status: a challenge to birdwatchers and an inspiration to poets, novelists and artists. Night Parrot documents the competitiveness and secrecy, the triumphs and adventures of the history of the bird and its followers, culminating in the recent discovery of live birds at a few widely scattered locations. It describes what we are now unravelling about the mysteries of its biology and ecology and what is still left to learn. Complemented by guest essays, illustrations and photographs from a wide variety of sources, this book sheds light on Australia's most elusive bird.

Australia's Most Elusive Bird

Night Parrot

Humphrey Price-Jones

The wedge-tailed eagle is Australia's largest true eagle and one of our few large predators and scavengers. Like the other large eagles of the world, it has exceptional powers of flight and sight. A master of the sky, it is both revered and reviled. This lavish compilation of illustrations of the wedge-tailed eagle from chick to adult is superbly complemented by an engaging and informative text compiled by Dr. Penny Olsen, a leading raptor specialst. It is the culmination of four decades of intimate study of this iconic bird by Australia's leading bird painter, Humphrey Price-Jones.

The Art of Humphrey Price-Jones

Spirit of the Wedge-tailed Eagle

Feather and Brush traces the history of bird art in Australia – from the simple engravings illustrating accounts of the earliest European voyages of discovery to the diversity of artwork available today. It explores the early European approach, in which naval draughtsmen, officers, convicts, settlers, naturalists, artists and scientists alike contributed both to the art and the science of ornithology, through to a wealth of contemporary artists who feature birds in their works. This book contains more than 400 images, representing the work of 158 artists; some well-known, others published for the first time. The illustrations have been selected for their interest, whether ornithological, historical or artistic. They range from classical to quirky, decorative to functional, monumental to intimate. Together they demonstrate the rich history of Australian bird art, as it evolved in Europe and Australia, and continues today, along with the trends and technologies of the times. This second edition includes new and revised chapters, and features about 200 new artworks, including some by Indigenous artists. Cultural sensitivity Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used or referenced in this book that are culturally sensitive. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this book contains images and names of deceased persons.

A History of Australian Bird Art

Feather and Brush

'What Bird Is That?' has been regarded as a classic field guide to Australian bird life since its publication in 1951. It was written and illustrated by Neville William Cayley (1886-1950), the son of talented wildlife and natural history artist Neville Henry Cayley (1854-1903). 'Cayley & Son' charts the lives and works of this Australian father-and-son pair of bird artists. Neville Henry, nomadic and with a reputation for hard drinking, was nevertheless a highly talented artist. His son Neville William, 'buoyant' in personality, sometimes outspoken and argumentative, was a pioneer of the surf lifesaving movement before turning his attention to painting. This book features over 100 images of Australia's unique and colourful bird life.

Cayley and Son

"How images of Australian birds have changed over time as illustrated by the following artists whose work is in the Library's collection: John Hunter, George Raper, Sarah Stone, John Lewin, John and Elizabeth Gould, Henry Richter, Neville Henry Cayley, Neville William Cayley, Ebezer Edward Gostelow, Lilian Medalnd, Betty Temple Watts, William Cooper. There is a short biography for each artist"--Provided by publisher.

Australian Bird Art from the National Library of Australia

A Brush with Birds

Leo Joseph

Stray Feathers showcases some of the remarkable adaptations of Australian birds. A brief introduction describes how evolution shapes form and function, followed by a series of vignettes illustrating the wondrous variety of forms and functions shaped by evolution. For example, did you know that Barn Owls can hunt in absolute darkness and that cuckoos commence incubation before their egg is laid? Sections include anatomy and physiology; the senses; giving voice; tongues talking; plumage; getting around; finding and handling food; optimising foraging and feeding; reducing competition; using ‘tools’; communicating; quality vs quantity; courtship; nests; parental care; chicks; and living together. The book is superbly illustrated with black and white drawings of a range of birds, making it a worthy addition to the bookshelves of bird lovers everywhere.

Reflections on the Structure, Behaviour and Evolution of Birds

Stray Feathers

Late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Eurocentric perceptions of natural history led to the flora and fauna of the new colony of New South Wales being viewed as deficient and inferior. The swans of the colony were black and eagles white, birds built shell-strewn avenues of sticks to cavort in and parrots walked on the ground. Olsen documents how our scientific knowledge evolved, using collectors' and naturalists' journals to enhance her stories.

Early European Impressions of Australia's Curious Animals

Upside Down World

Australian predators of the sky are some of the most admired and the most despised of the bird world. Raptors are admired for their strength and independence, but despised for their depredations on livestock and favourite garden birds, while the owls are at once respected for their wisdom and watchfulness and feared for their mournful cries and association with darkness and ill-omen. The book begins with fascinating descriptions by award-winning natural history author Penny Olsen on the discovery and illustration of birds of prey in Australia, and their characteristics and ecology, followed by full-colour illustrations of each species by a variety of artists, accompanied by intriguing notes about the birds. Australian Predators of the Sky comprises over 200 striking paintings, lithographs and engravings of all 34 Australian species—25 diurnal birds of prey such as eagles, hawks and falcons, and nine owls such as hawk-owls and barn-owls.

Australian Predators of the Sky

In describing Australia's twenty-four species of birds of prey, Olsen relates their complex biology to the continent's unique geography and ecology. She explains why species such as the Nankeen Kestrel and Brown Falcon can range widely from coastal cliffs and river valleys to arid grasslands and wooded hillsides. She describes why others, such as the Red Goshawk, Pacific Baza, and Brahminy Kite, have ranges dramatically limited by their dependence on particular habitats and types of prey.

The Biology and Ecology of Raptors

Australian Birds of Prey

Around 1870, Ferdinand von Mueller, the greatest Australian botanist of the nineteenth century, began to advertise in several newspapers across Australia for 'lady' plant collectors. This was at a time when women typically had little recourse to science, or contact with men outside their circle of friends, making Mueller's network of ladies quite extraordinary. Collecting Ladies profiles 14 of Mueller's coterie of women collectors. Included are Fanny Charsley, Louisa Atkinson, Annie Walker and Ellis Rowan for whom Mueller made time to assist in pursuit of their own passions. He identified the plants they painted and provided letters of introduction to publishers and scientists. Together, these ladies produced some of the most beautiful books and botanical art to come out of Australia in the nineteenth century, covering all the Australian colonies.

Ferdinand Von Mueller and Women Botanical Artists

Collecting Ladies

Lynette Russell

Would Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson have ever crossed the Blue Mountains without the help of the local Aboriginal people? The invaluable role of local guides in this event is rarely recognised. As silent partners, Aboriginal Australians gave Europeans their first views of iconic animals, such as the Koala and Superb Lyrebird, and helped to unravel the mystery of the egg-laying mammals: the Echidna and Platypus. Well into the twentieth century, Indigenous people were routinely engaged by collectors, illustrators and others with an interest in Australia's animals. Yet this participation, if admitted at all, was generally barely acknowledged. However, when documented, it was clearly significant. Penny Olsen and Lynette Russell have gathered together Aboriginal peoples' contributions to demonstrate the crucial role they played in early Australian zoology. The writings of the early European naturalists clearly describe the valuable knowledge of the Indigenous people of the habits of Australia's bizarre (to a European) fauna. 'Australia's First Naturalists' is invaluable for those wanting to learn more about our original inhabitants' contribution to the collection, recognition and classification of Australia's unique fauna. It heightens our appreciation of the previously unrecognised complex knowledge of Indigenous societies.

Penny Olsen

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