Figure

WILLIAM HAYES (AND FAMILY) Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius. Hand-coloured engraving, c. 17 × 21 cm; 1790s. Hayes’ Portraits of Rare and Curious Birds, with their Descriptions, from the Menagery of Osterly Park in the County of Middlesex (1794 and 1799) were early volumes of coloured illustrations of birds by Hayes and several members of his family. Among the portraits are the Eastern Rosella, then known as the Nonpareil Parrot and a favourite of Hayes, who describes the individual in the menagerie as the most affectionate, gentle and graceful of birds. Portraits was made on demand – each copy was a unique collection, assembled from plates at hand and newly etched images if needed, prepared and coloured by different members of the family.