Some Birds Collected during the Voyage of H.M.S. Sulphur 1836-1842. John Gould’s Illustrations

John Gould FRS (1804-1881) was responsible for the text and illustrations in the section on birds in the Zoology volume, published in 1844.

Here is a selection of Gould’s paintings shown under their current names.

Long-tailed Manakin, Chiroxiphia linearis. Central America

Golden-collared Manakin, Manacus vitellinus, Central & South America

Pale-mandibled Aracari, Pteroglossus erythropygius, Ecuador & Peru

Madagascan Sandgrouse, Pterocles personatus, Madagascar

White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortelis leucogastra, Central America

Ultramarine Lorikeet, Vini ultramarina, Marquesas

Of the birds shown I have seen two in the wild, Madagascar Sandgrouse (2003) and the Critically-Endangered Ultramarine Lorikeet on Ua Huka, its last remaining location, in 2010.

The volumes from the voyage give some indication of the distance travelled and the places visited by Sulphur during its voyage and why, because of its length and the fact that she had taken part in a war, the crew were given extra pay and allowances. I found this map showing the route round the world and have emphasised it using a red overlay: