Edward Lear began his career as a zoological illustrator, working in the Parrot House at London Zoo. This resulted in the publication of Illustrations of the family of Psittacidae, or parrots, the greater part of them species hitherto unfigured in 1832. The first plates for the book were issued in 1830 when he was still only 18.

Facsimile print published in 1978, based on the original published in 1832 owned by the Linnean Society. Presented in a faux bamboo frame and cream mount.