Cigne Noir Du Cap De Diemen.

Striking c.19th hand coloured engraving, published in 1800, of a Black Swan.

The Black Swan was one of the first Australian birds to be recorded by Europeans. The first recorded sighting occurred on 5 July 1636 by Dutch sailor Antonie Caen in the ship the Banda on Bernier Island, N.W. Australia.

The first capture 7 January 1697 by Willem de Vlamingh, Jurien Bay, Western Australia.

Modern binomial name: Cygnus atratus
First described: Latham, 1790
Distribution:  Australia wide

From: Jacques Julien Houton de Labillardiere (1755-1834), Relation du voyage a la recherche de La Perouse

“A rare account of a voyage with tremendous significance to the exploration of Australia and the Pacific”.

D’Entrecasteaux joined the French navy in 1754 and fought in 1756 at Minorca. He assumed command of the French fleet of the East Indies and in 1787, was appointed Governor of Mauritius and the Isle of Bourbon. During his voyage in search of La Perouse in 1791-92, he determined the position of Amsterdam Island, explored the coastlines of New Caledonia, Tasmania, and New Holland, and located several groups of islands.

References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 : 307.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 :.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 34025
National Gallery Australia: Accession Number: 2011.1238.A-B
Auckland Art Gallery Toiotamaki: Accession no 1965/1/6