Phalacrocorax capensis (Cape cormorant) Possibly 1777 - 1786

This detailed pen and ink drawing titled "Phalacrocorax capensis (Cape cormorant)" depicts a cormorant in profile, its feathers meticulously rendered with fine dots and hatches. Created by Robert Jacob Gordon, a renowned Dutch military officer and artist, the artwork likely dates back to the late 18th century, between 1777 and 1786. The inscription beneath the bird provides additional context, describing its size in relation to a goose and noting the location where it was captured. This work exemplifies Gordon's talent for meticulous naturalism, a hallmark of his ornithological studies.