Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996) original ornithology book illustration painting and a signed copy of his book, A FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS. 1st item: ink and gouache on cardstock of two small birds on a limb, likely wrens, one with worm in beak, the other with open beak. Signed in pencil lower right "R.T. Peterson Original / Mealtime / Third Chapter." Matted and framed under glass in a silver metallic frame. 8" H x 10 1/2" W sight, 13" x 15 1/2" framed. 2nd item: Roger Tory Peterson, A FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, autographed on title page. Second Revised edition sponsored by the National Audubon Society, Houghton Mifflin/Riverside Press, 1962. 290 pp. Enclosed Checklist of birds from the Tennessee Ornithological Society, published 1972. Biography: Roger Tory Peterson was widely known for his field guides to the study of birds. He was an avid student of nature, particularly birds, and studied other artists who specialized in nature including Audubon, Lear, Durer and Fuertes. He went on to study commercial art at the Art Students League and National Academy of Design in New York City. After school he taught art and science in Massachusetts and at this time created his unique system for identifying birds in the field. He later developed and published more than fifty other guides on a variety of nature subjects including mushrooms, clouds, fish, stars, and insects. Peterson was nominated for a Nobel Prize two times and received major awards for ornithology, natural science, and conservation. He was also awarded twenty-two honorary degrees, as well as numerous medals and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. CONDITION: Painting: Overall very good condition with a couple of minor scattered spots of foxing or staining to lower left background. Not examined out of frame. Book: Lacking dustcover, minor wear to boards, some foxing and minor stains to a few interior pages, overall good condition with protective clear cover.