Photograph of a Pruii Bird

Collage

-

The Civilization of Llhuros

PHOTOGRAPH OF A PRUII BIRD | circa 1966-71 | Photo by Ann Cady, 2024 | ©2026 Norman Daly Art: Professor Colin Faintly, director of the laboratory of Ornithology, University of Aukland, New Zealand, took this rare photograph of the equally rare Pruii bird. (See page 10.) Professor Faintly reports that the mating cry of this species is startling in its similarity to a ringing telephone sound. In his article "Miticides of Coastal Llhuros," New Ornithology (August, 1967), he describes these birds, which are similar to the sooty-footed hummingbirds of Llhuros, as sucking their prey (small insects) in through their large ears by a powerful suction generated in their elongated stomachs.
PHOTOGRAPH OF A PRUII BIRD | circa 1966-71 | Photo by Ann Cady, 2024 | ©2026 Norman Daly Art

Professor Colin Faintly, director of the laboratory of Ornithology, University of Aukland, New Zealand, took this rare photograph of the equally rare Pruii bird. (See page 10.) Professor Faintly reports that the mating cry of this species is startling in its similarity to a ringing telephone sound. In his article "Miticides of Coastal Llhuros," New Ornithology (August, 1967), he describes these birds, which are similar to the sooty-footed hummingbirds of Llhuros, as sucking their prey (small insects) in through their large ears by a powerful suction generated in their elongated stomachs.

Name/Title

Photograph of a Pruii Bird

Entry/Object ID

COL.135

Description

The photo of a collage presents an intriguing fusion of organic and technological motifs featuring a head that blends elements of the Pruii bird bird with mechanical and futuristic components. The otherworldly appearance of the Pruii bird features large, round eyes resembling glass orbs, framed by a metallic, helmet-like structure that covers the face, while the lower section features a texture akin to animal feathers or fur. The captivating photo is framed by a wide, plain white mat.

Artwork Details

Medium

Photographic paper, Paper

Category

Mid-20th Century

Made/Created

Artist

Norman Daly

Date made

circa 1966 - 1971

Place

Academic Institution

Cornell University

City

Ithaca, New York

Continent

North America

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Region

Asia Minor

Culture/Tribe

Llhuros

Dimensions

Height

14-1/8 in

Width

11 in

Depth

1/8 in

Acquisition

Notes

This object is a unique element of the "Civilization of Llhuros" collection given to the Cornell University Anthropology Collaboratory in 2026.

Copyright

Copyright Holder

Norman Daly Art

Copyright Date

1972

Exhibitions

Akron Art Institute (1972)
Cornell University | A.D. White Museum of Art (1972)
Indianapolis Art Museum (1972)
Istanbul Biennial, 16th | "The Seventh Continent" (2019)
Memorial Art Gallery | University of Rochester (1972)
Roberson Center for Art and Science, Binghamton, NY (1974)
Romische-Germanisches Museum | "Projekt '74" | Cologne Germany (1974)
SUNY Albany | Art Gallery (1973}
University of Pennsylvania Art Museum, Philadelphia (1974)