John James Audubon, American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), Havell plate no. 33, 1824, Watercolor, graphite, black ink, and gouache with touches of pastel and glazing on paper, laid on thin board; 18 9/16 x 11 3/4 inches. Purchased for the Society by public subscription from Mrs. John J. Audubon, 1863.17.33

NEW YORK CITY.- The New-York Historical Society presents Audubon's Aviary: Portraits of Endangered Species, on view through March 16 and highlights birds that once flourished in American landscapes and soared in our nation's skies but are now either declining, threatened with extinction, or sadly gone forever. It also features success stories of birds that have rebounded or have been removed from the Endangered Species List. Due to their sensitivity to light, each original Audubon watercolor can be exhibited for only a brief period every 10 years. After closing in March, this year's flock will migrate off to the safety of the N-YHS's storage for at least ten years; unfortunately, by the time these watercolors reappear, species they have preserved on paper may have disappeared entirely.

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John James Audubon (1785-1851) with Joseph Mason (1808-1842) American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), Havell plate no. 40, 1821, Watercolor, graphite, black and brown ink, gouache, and pastel with touches of glazing on paper, laid on thin board; 18 15/16 x 11 11/16. inches. Purchased for the Society by public subscription from Mrs. John J. Audubon, 1863.17.40