Birding: Evolution of the Field Guide

Over time, Roger Tory Peterson would revise his field guides as the binoculars birders would use became more powerful. The paintings of the birds in his guides became more detailed and started to look more like the birds in real life.

“In Fine Feather: Birds, Art & Science,” is on view at the Toledo Museum of Art April 25-July 6, 2014 and features works by noted bird artists and illustrators including Peterson, John James Audubon, Alexander Wilson and John Gould.