Ortygometra, Ralle (The Rail), from "Livre d'Oyseaux" (Book of Birds) 1650 - 1665

This etching, "Ortygometra, Ralle (The Rail)," is part of Albert Flamen's "Livre d'Oyseaux" (Book of Birds), a series of prints depicting various bird species. Created between 1650 and 1665, this artwork showcases Flamen's detailed and accurate depiction of natural life. The print shows two rails, one in flight and another foraging on the ground. The composition, featuring a landscape with trees and a pond, adds to the sense of realism and highlights the bird's natural habitat. This print exemplifies the beauty and scientific accuracy of 17th-century natural history illustrations.