Ernst Haeckel: Kunstformen der Natur, Trochilidae (1904)

(Teylers Museum, Leiden, the Netherlands)

A drawing made by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel (1834 – 1919). Haeckel main focus of research was the evolution theory and the development of life as a whole. He actively promoted Charles Darwin's work in Germany and discovered lots of new species. He published also several books of which his 'Kunstformen der Natur' (in English 'Art Forms in Nature') is his best known. The book contains 100 prints (a selection of the engravings made by Haeckel). This beautiful print shows 12 members of the Trochilidae family - hummingbirds. Shows are:

- Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Male Horned Sungem
- Male Crimson Topaz
- Male Red-tailed Comet
- Male Tufted Coquette
- Male Sword-billed Hummingbird
- Buff-tailed Sicklebill
- Male Dot-eared Coquette
- Male White-vented Violetear
- Male Hooded Visorbearer
- Female Juan Fernández Firecrown
- Male Booted Racket-tail

Print from 1904.