Spathura underwoodi (White-footed Racket-Tail)
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows three hummingbirds perched on a plant with bright green leaves and a big, purple-and-yellow flower. One bird is hovering near the flower, while the others sit still on the branches. The background is soft and pale, keeping the focus on the birds and leaves. The artist used careful details to show the birds’ feathers and the plant’s textures. The name at the bottom reads *Spathura underwoodi*, which is the scientific name for the White-footed Racket-Tail hummingbird. Look up lithography to see how this kind of printmaking works.