Each card features a different bird, with a colour illustration, common and scientific names.

Among the birds represented there is an Australian parrot, a cassowary and the New Zealand kiwi. Related or similar birds are named on the cards. There is a small booklet of rules for playing the game.

Card games specifically designed for children began to appear in the latter half of the 18th century, much the same time as the educational board games and dissected puzzles. These were yet another method of 'learning through play'. Many of the same publishers were involved. Many subjects could be taught using cards: geography, history, religion, languages and natural history being only a few.

Then in the 1860s John Jaques & Sons, an established publisher of card games, developed games that were purely for fun, games that are still played today: Happy Families and Snap. Other publishers issued variations and more fun games were developed.

There appeared to be no consideration that these card games were 'gambling' or might lead to children developing that vice. While board games were frequently played with a teetotum or spinner because of the connotations of gambling associated with the dice, children's card games did not seem to be deemed to carry the same potential.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

Buy a high resolution copy.