Voyage of Dumont d'Urville 1826-1829
The naturalists of the expedition, Jean René Constant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard, had served aboard the Coquille alongside D’Urville under Duperrey; they continued to do outstanding work aboard the Astrolabe under the command of D’Urville. They felt quite at home on the ship, since it actually was the Coquille, renamed in honor of the search for La Pérouse’s ships, one of which was called the Astrolabe.
Perruche à tète pourpre [Ruby-headed Parrot] (Australia)	Podarge Papou. [Papuan Frogmouth] (New Guinea)
Cynocéphale nègre. [Black Baboon] (Moluccas)
The above three images are from Voyage de la Corvette l’Astrolabe… Pendant les Années 1826-1829: Paris: J. Tastu, 1830-1834.
These three specimens were acquired during the expedition of Dumont d’Urville. The naturalists described the Australian parrot as having "les formes sveltes et élégantes," with a strong beak, and having a great variety of color in its plumage; the long tail is composed of twelve tiered feathers. The frogmouth was found in the harbor of Doreï, New Guinea. It belongs to the order of Caprimulgiformes, which also include nighthawks. The baboon was found at Matchian [i.e. Makian]. Their description states that it was between three and four years old, sweet tempered, intelligent, and playful; but could kill if provoked. One of the leading figures in the field of natural history at the time of this expedition was Georges Cuvier. Gaimard and Quoy consulted with him as they prepared the monumental and spectacular zoology of the voyage upon their return.
D'Urville: Page 8 of 8.	back   next