Etched state of an engraving by Gillot issued as a headpiece illustration on page 19 (Book I, fable 6), of M. de la Motte's "Fables nouvelles" (Paris : Gregoire Dupuis, 1719).
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Forms part of a collection of 586 etchings by and after Claude Gillot, mounted into a bound album by a former owner, with letterpress title page reading "Oeuvres de Gillot." (see PML 198162).
Illustration shows a small flock of birds of different species perched on the branches of a small tree; beyond at right, three naked figure - two men and a woman - are stretched across the banks of a pond, looking at the birds; the male figure at right right leans over, pointing at the birds with his right arm; the woman is seated, with one knee up; the other male figure to the left reclines; beyond, across the pond, more trees to the right.