A colorful and historically significant group of 474 bird watercolors by John James Audubon will be on view from the collection of the New-York Historical Society for the first time.

Three exhibitions will show the Audubons in chronological order over three years with the first set on view since last Friday.

There are 435 watercolors engraved for Audubon's seminal "The Birds of America." An original edition of the book, known as the double elephant folio, is also on view.

Audubon's engravings were sold by subscription. His 3 1/2-foot-high book depicted all the known avian species in early 19th-century North America.

The museum's watercolors, except one, were purchased from the artist's widow in 1863.

The first series in the exhibition continues through May 19.