Object Status:
Extant
Accession Date:
By 1799
Primary Source Reference:
Charles Willson Peale, Lecture on Natural History 37. (ca. 1799). Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40. / https://ansp.org/research/library/archives/0000-0099/coll0040/
Additional Source Text:
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) wrote, in his 37th Lecture (ca. 1799): "Here we have the opportunity of comparing [Coal Tit, Periparus ater with the American species] … No. 1914 and 1915 are those of America; every person with a single glance of the eye will see a great difference between them. The American birds are much longer, and are without the white spot on the hind head. Therefore these cannot be the titmice alluded to. Perhaps Mr. Latham may have seen some other which has not yet come within my notice. These have [a] black head and throat; cheeks & breast white, not of the dingy colour of the Cole Titmous No. 1913; the back, wings & tail cinerious." (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40)
Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) described this species under the name "Black-capt Titmouse / Parus atricapillus" in American Ornithology vol. 1 (Pl. 8), where "Peale's Museum No. 7380" was ctied (Wilson 1808: 134). / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175530#page/162/mode/1up (text) / https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/175530#page/149/mode/1up (plate)
Specimen Type:
Dead/preserved
Current Common Name:
Black-capped Chickadee
Current Scientific Name
Paridae | Poecile atricapillus
