Philip Henry Gosse
The birds of Jamaica
"The Birds of Jamaica" by Philip Henry Gosse is a scientific publication written in the mid-19th century. The work focuses on documenting the diverse species of birds found in Jamaica, providing insights based on original observations and investigations, aiming to expand the knowledge of tropical avian life. The opening of the book begins with a preface discussing the limited information available about tropical birds, emphasizing the value of detailed observations. Gosse acknowledges contributions from Richard Hill, an ornithologist in Jamaica, while expressing a commitment to thoroughness in documenting each species, no matter how trivial the details may seem. He discusses past incidents involving vultures, illustrating their behavior and feeding habits, which sets a tone of meticulous observation that is likely to continue throughout the text.