A spectacular example of Victorian taxidermy, complete with its original glass dome, containing five South Asia birds, a pair of Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus, Chestnut Bellied sandgrouse Pterocles exustus, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Leiopicus mahrattensis, and a Plum-headed parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala.
The ebonised base with two data labels attached, plus James Gardner’s trade label, listing ‘by appointment to the Queen’ which is also pasted to underside of the base.
The small printed data label pasted to the front reads “474. Francolinu Vulgaris, Steph. Francolin.” The number possibly corresponding to it formerly being part of a larger collection. The Francolinus vulgaris reference appears to be an out dated or incorrect scientific name, and the reference to Steph. (Stephans) Francolin is also an incorrect identification. The two birds are Black francolins.
To the underside there is another date label with more information, but again there appears to be some mistakes. Only the last on the list appears to be correct which is the Plum headed parakeet.

“Birds from Vi-ujail- shot about 1886 by F……
Francolinus Vulgaris w 68 male w 69 female
Sand grouse sp? W 70
Liopicus Mahrattensis w 14 male
Palocornis cyanocephalus male w 22”

56cm High x 52cm Wide.

Ref: 25673

Note: James Gardner was one of several British taxidermists to stand at the Great Exhibition in London 1851.