Print of steel engraving titled Argus Male“.

Author Danvin.

Engraved by M. Lesueur.

From the Oceanie ou cinquieme partie du monde. Revue geographique et ethnographique de la Malaisie, de la Micronesie, de la Polynesie et de la Melanesie“. Firmin Didot Freres, Paris. 1836.

The great argus (Argusianus argus) is a species of pheasant. The great argus is a brown-plumaged pheasant with a blue head and neck, rufous red upper breast, black hair-like feathers on crown and nape, and red legs. The male is among the largest of all pheasants. He measures 160–200 cm (63–79 in) in total length, including a tail of 105–143 cm (41–56 in), and weighs 2.04–2.72 kg (4.5–6.0 lb). It has very long tail feathers. The male's most spectacular features are its huge, broad and greatly elongated secondary wing feathers decorated with large ocelli. The female is smaller and duller than the male, with shorter tails and less ocelli. She measures 72–76 cm (28–30 in) in total length, including a tail of 30–36 cm (12–14 in), and weighs 1.59–1.7 kg (3.5–3.7 lb). Young males attain adult plumage in their third year.

Approx. image size 14, 2 x 9, 2/20, 3 x 12, 3 cm.

Condition: good.