Three early books on birds’ eggs: Marsili’s Danubius Pannonico-Mysicus (1726), Zinanni’s Delle Uova e dei Nidi degli Uccelli (1737) and Klein’s Ova avium plurimarum ad naturalem magnitudinem delineata et genuinis coloribus picta (1766)

Figures & data

Figure 1. Portrait of Luigi Ferdinando Marsili (1658–1730) (from http://badigit.comune.bologna.it/mostre/archeologia/bacheca%203/big/37_ct_01.JPG).

Figure 2. An example of one of the bird plates, in this case the Eurasian spoonbill, from Marsili’s account.

Figure 3. Example of one of the nest and egg plates from Marsili, in this case the white stork Ciconia ciconia. Note that the building and nest and eggs are not to scale.

Figure 4. Portrait of Giuseppe Zinanni (from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giuseppe_Ginanni.jpg, in the public domain).

Figure 5. Example of a plate from Zinanni’s book, showing (from left to right), first row: wryneck, great spotted woodpecker (64), lesser spotted woodpecker 65; second row: treecreeper (66); great tit (67); blue tit (68); third row: penduline tit (erroneously attributed by Zinanni to long-tailed tit – see text and Table I); house sparrow (70); rock sparrow? (71).

Figure 6. Original illustration of the egg airways from Antonio Vallisneri (1710) Prima Raccolta d’Osservationi, e d’Esperienze del Signor Antonio Vallisnieri de’ Nobili di Vallisniera, Pubblico Professore di Medicina Teorica di Padoa ec. Cavata dalla Galeria di Minerva. Girolamo Albrizzi, Venezia (courtesy of Biblioteca Panizzi, Reggio Emilia, Italy, all rights reserved) (left: chicken egg airways; centre: quail egg airways; right: quail egg).

Table I. List of species in Zinanni’s book. The first column refers to the number and name in Zinanni’s egg plates. The second and the third columns refer to the species name and the page in Ray’s Ornithologiae (Orn.) and in Aldrovandi's books, respectively. The fourth column contains the modern species names (where different from those in the Ornithologiae) and notes to the identification. Our identification is from matching names in Zinanni’s text and the English edition of Willughby’s Ornithology (Ray 1678). Note that the text on plates in Zinanni (1737) does not always agree with text in the main body of the book.

Name on plate	Species name and page in Ray (1676)	Reference to Aldrovandi (1599–1603)	Species name and notes
1. Pavone usuale	Peafowl Pavo cristatus^† Orn., p. 112
2. Pavone bianco	Peafowl^† (white) Orn., p. 113
3. Gallina Indiana	Meleagrides Orn., p. 113		Turkey Meleagris gallopavo^†
4. Gallina guinea	Guineafowl Numida meleagris^† Orn., p. 115
5. Fagiano	Pheasant Phiasanus colchicus^† Orn., p. 117
6. Francolino	Attagen Black Francolin Orn., p. 125		Francolinus francolinus
7. Pernice	Red-legged partridge Perdix rufa Orn., p. 119		Alectoris rufa
8. Starna	Grey Partridge Perdix cinerea Orn., p. 118		Perdix perdix
9. Gallina usuale	Domestic fowl Gallus domestica^† in Orn., p. 109
10. Gallina padovana	Domestic fowl Gallus domestica^† in Orn., p. 109
11. Gallina riccia	Domestic fowl Gallus domestica^† in Orn., p. 109
12. Colombo co’ piedi pennati	Domestic pigeon Columba domestica^† Orn., p. 131
13. Colombo terraiuolo	Domestic pigeon Columba domestica^† Orn., p. 131
14. Colombacio	Wood pigeon Palumbus torquatus^† Orn., p. 131	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 487	Columba palumbus
15. Tortora	Turtle dove Streptopelia turtur Orn., p. 131
16.Tortora Bianca	Turtle dove (white) Streptopelia turtur^†
17. Tortora Montana	Mountain turtle dove [unidentified species; Z. says it is similar to Turtur indica Aldr. but his specimens differed in colouration and lacked sexual dimorphism]?		Z. may refer here to some domestic form of dove, like the white dove above, also known as Turtur risoria (Barbary dove), that probably derived from S. roseogrisea
18. Re di Quaglie	Ortygometra; Crex Aristotelis in Orn., p. 122		Corncrake Crex crex
19. Quaglia	Orn., p. 121		Common quail Coturnix coturnix
20. Tordo detto Raglione e Tordela	Orn., p. 137		Mistle thrush Turdus viscivorus
21. Tordo viscada	Viscivorus minor in Orn., p. 128		Song thrushTurdus philomelos
22. Merlo	Merula vulgaris in Orn., p. 140		Blackbird T. merula
23. Merlo marino	Merula saxatalis in Orn., p. 145		Rock thrush Monticola saxatilis
24. Culo bianco	Oenanthe Wheatear sp. Orn., p. 168	Aldr. vol. 2, pag. 763	This should be O. oenanthe, considering Aldr.’s figure and the area where Z. lived.
25. Ortolano	Orn., p. 197	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 176	Ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana
26. Ortolano il collo verde	Hortulanus collo verde Orn., p. 198	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 181 (above)	Cirl bunting E. cirlus? While the species represented in W.’s fig. no. XL is similar to E. cirlus, it seems strange that in this case Z. did not refer to E. cirlus in Will. p. 196 (Lutae primum genus) and Aldr. p. 855 (Luteis or Cirlus).
27. Balcarolo	Hortulanus cauda alba in Orn., p. 198	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 181 (below)	Rock bunting E. cia? Again, as above, from figures it could be the rock bunting (and the description of the habitat (“balze dei monti”: mountain slopes). It seems strange, however, that (if the species really is the rock bunting) Z. did not refer to Aldr. p. 858 where a rock bunting (Cirsul stultus) is well described. Will. referes to the ortolan bunting with the name “cauda alba”.
28. Beccafico do Color Fosco	Ficedula Orn., p. 158	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 758	Egg and nest description do not fit with Ficedula albicollis, although Adr. fig. cited by Z. certainly is a collared flycatcher. Hard to say which species of warbler Z. meant to refer here (possibly Hippolais polyglotta)
29. Beccafico cinerizio (detto Bigione)	Ficedula Scatarello in Orn., p. 158 = Silvia hortensis = Orphean warbler S. crassitrostris?	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 760	Warblers are very confused in Will. and Aldr. unknown (possibly Phylloscopus)
30. Stoparola	Spipoletta Florentiae in Orn., p. 152	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 732	Some of the features of descriptions in Z., Aldr and Will. refer to Sylvia communis, bur others seem to match better with Anthus sp. (long posterior claw, spotted throat, nest on the ground): unknown
31. Borin	Muscicapa secunda Aldr + Orn., p. 158	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 734	Unknown species (Motacilla and Muscicapa are mixed in Aldr. and Will.). Z. says that the nest is on the ground, and the bird in the fig. he refers to seems to be a warbler. Unknown.
32. Pettorosso	Orn., p. 160	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 742	Robin Erithacus rubecula
33. Rondone	Orn., p. 156	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 699	Common swift Apus apus
34. Rondone Minore	Hirundo agrestis rustica in Orn., p. 155		House Martin Delichon urbicum
35. Rondine	Hirundo domestica Orn., p. 155		Barn swallow Hirundo rustica
36. Spippola Mag^re	Spipola prima in Orn., p. 153	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 730	Unidentified species (possibly Anthus)
37. Spippola Min^re	Spipola altera in Orn., p. 153	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 731	Unidentified species (possibly Anthus)
38. Codatremola da Monachina	Orn., p. 171		White wagtail Motacilla alba
39. Coda tremula Gialla	Orn., p. 172		Yellow wagtail M. flava
40. Occhio di Bue	Oenanthe nostra tertia in Orn., p. 169	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 735	Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
41. Culorancio	Ruticillia in Orn., p. 160		Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
42. Rusignuolo	Orn., p. 161		Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
43. Allodola (da Toscani Panterana)	Alauda vulgaris in Orn., p. 149		Skylark Alauda arvensis
44. Allodola detta Mattolina	Aluada pratorum in Orn., p. 150	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 849	Wood lark Lullula arborea
45. Capinera	Atricapilla ficedula in Orn., p. 162		Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
46. Canevarola	Passer arundinaceus minor in Orn., p. 99	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 754	Reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus?
47. Calderino			Goldfinch Carduelis carduellis
48. Monachino o Sufolotto			Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
49. Passere di Canaria verde			Canary (green) Serinus canaria
50. Passere di Canario Bianco			Canary (white – domestic) Serinus canaria^†
51. Fanello			Linnet Linaria cannabina
52. Fringuello	Fringilla		Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
53. Raperino o Verzellino	Citril		European serin Serinus serinus
54. Verdone			Greenfinch Chloris chloris
55. Petrone	Emberiza alba in Orn., p. 195	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 850	Corn bunting Emberiza calandra
56. Allodola Cappelluta		Aldr. vol. 2, p. 841	Crested/thekla lark Galerida cristata or G. theklae
57. Gazza con la coda lunga			Magpie Pica pica
58. Gazza Chiandaia	Pica glandaria Orn., p. 88		Jay Garrulus glandarius
59. Gazza Marina	Garrulus Argenturanensis Orn., p. 89		Roller Coracias garrulus
60. Storno			Starling Sturnus vulgaris
61. Mulacchia cinerizia	Cornix cinerea frugilegus Orn., p. 84		Hooded crow Corvus cornix
62. Mulacchia nera	Monedula		Jackdaw Coloeus monedula
63. Colotorto o Tortocollo			Wryneck Jynx torquilla
64. Picchio	Picus minor		Lesser spotted woodpecker Dryobates minor
65. Picchio giallo	Picus luteus cyanopus Persicus Orn., p. 97	Aldr. vol. 1, p. 850	Green woodpecker Picus viridis
66. Picchio piccolo			Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
67. Cingallegra d^to Podachino mag^re			Great tit Parus major
68. Parozolino o Fratino			Blue tit Cyanisties caeruleus
69. Pendolino o Paronzino	Parus caudatus Orn., p. 176**		Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus
70. Passere			House sparrow Passer domesticus
71. Passere marino	Passer torquatis Orn., p. 183	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 563.	Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus? The fig. in Aldr., however, matches more with the rock sparrow (Petronia petronia)
– Magnanina (30 p.o)		Aldr. vol. 2, p. 736	Dartford warbler Sylvia undata?
– Rondine Riparia (35 fec.o)			Sand martin Riparia riparia
– Picchio grigio, o cinereo			Grey-headed woodpecker Picus canus
72. Passere montano			Tree sparrow Passer montanus
– Beccafico di color vario 29 secondo	Unknown	Aldr. vol. 2, p. 759
– Parozolino o Fratino palustre			Marsh tit Poecile palustris
73. Nibbio con la coda biforcata	Red kite Milvus milvus Orn., p. 41	Aldr. vol. 1, p. 368	Z. says that the species nests on the ground, which suggests marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
74. Nibbio	Milvus aeruginosus Orn., p. 42	Aldr. vol. 1, p. 395	Reference to Will. suggests western marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus. However, Z. says it nests on trees around Ravenna, which suggests black kite (Milvus migrans)
75. Poiana	Common Buzzard Buteo buteo [but see text]	Aldr. vol. 1, p. 368
76. Poiana seconda	Buteone vulgaris Orn., p. 38 Buzzard [but see text]
77. Astore	Accipiter palumbarius Orn., p. 51		Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
78. Gheppio o Acertello			Kestrel Falco tinnuculus
79. Buserola di macchie bianche e nere	Lanius minor Orn., p. 54	Aldr. vol. 1, p. 389	Aldr. figure refers to Red-backed shrike L. collurio, but description in Aldr. and Will. matches more with L. senator
80. Buserola cinerizia	Southern Grey Shrike L. meridionalis?	Aldr. vol. 1, p. 390	Possibly a female L. collurio
81. Buserola rossa		Aldr. vol. 1, p. 391	If this is the tertii generis in Aldr. and Will. it may be a male collurio. Alternatively, a Woodchat shrike L. senator
82. Pappagallo giallo	Parrot^† – unidentified
83. Pappagallo rosso	Parrot^† – unidentified
84. Covaterra			European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus
85. Guffo	Bubo Orn., p. 63		Eurasian Eagle owl Bubo bubo
86. Civetta			Little owl Athene noctua
87. Chiu			Eurasian scops owl Otus scops
88. Allocco	Aluco minor Orn., p. 67		Barn owl Tyto alba
89. Strige	Orn., p. 65		Tawny owl Strix aluco
90. Oca domestica	Domestic duck^†
91. Oca salvatica detta Baletta		Aldr. vol. 3, p. 153	Z. here refers quite certainly to Anser anser, that used to breed in area. Fig. in Aldr., however, is more similar to a Brant Branta bernicla
92. Anitra muta	Anas Libyca Orn. (no page) Moscovy Duck Cairina moschata^† Orn., p. 381	Aldr. vol. 3, p. 197
93. Anitra domestica	Anas domestica vulgaris Domestic duck^† Orn., p. 293
94. Anitra salvatica	Boscas major Orn., p. 284		Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
95. Smergo o Fisolo marino			Great-crested grebe Podiceps cristatus
96. Merlo acquatico			White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus
96. Folica	Fulica Orn., p. 239		Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
98. Gallinella acquatica			Common Moorhen Gallinula cholorpus
99. Garza o Beccarivale	Platea Pelecanus Orn., p. 212		Common Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
100. Garza bionda o di color d’oro	Ardea stellaris Orn., p. 208	Aldr. vol. 3, p. 409	Eurasian bittern Botaurus stellaris
101. Garza cinerizia grossa			Grey heron Ardea cinerea
102. Gabbiano detto Cuccale		Aldr. vol. 3, p. 65	Larus michaellis from Z. description
103. Gabbiano cinerizio	Larus ridibundus Orn., p. 264	Aldr. vol. 3, p. 76
104. Gabbiano Minore	Larus cinerus minor Orn., p. 268*	Aldr. vol. 3, p. 76	Either a juvenile black tern Chlidonias niger or L. ridibundus in winter plumage (according to Aldr.)
105. Gambettola o Pivinello	Cinclus tertius Orn., p. 227 [345 = Common sea mall]	Aldr. vol. 3, p. 492 (below)	The only wader breeding in the area was Tringa totanus, but Z. identification based on Aldr. and Will. descriptions seem to point towards smaller waders (Calidris), that do not breed in the area
106. Piombino o Martino Pescatore	Ispida Alcyon		Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

^† Indicates domestic species.

* gulls = difficult to identify in the Ornithologiae.

**One year after the publication of the book Zinanni realised that he had actually described in the book the nest and the eggs of the penduline tit, not of the long-tailed tit (Zinanni 1762, p. 152).

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