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One of the first empirical works which can be said to approximate to serious zoology is the book of hawks "De Arte venandi cum avibus" (On the art of hunting with the hawk) by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II (1194-1250). Emperor Frederick II preferred to reside in Southern Italy. He was an animal-lover. His book on hunting with birds of prey combines his sporting interest with serious science. It is seen as the most comprehensive medieval work on the zoology of birds. This book was written by the emperor before 1248, and a new edition was published by his son Manfred, King of Sicily (reigned 1258-66). It contains pictures of at least 500 birds of around 80 different species, depicted more or less naturalistically and without any particular stylistic sophistication.
In the introduction, the author "Frederick II, Emperor of Rome, King of Jerusalem and Sicily" states that he spent thirty years collecting material for this work. In the year 1248, soon after the completion of the six-volume work, it was destroyed during the armed conflict. Not long after its destruction, Manfred, Frederick's son, produced a facsimile of the codex which is housed today in the Vatican Library in Rome.
Everything worth knowing about hawks, kestrels, sparrow-hawks and other birds is contained in this manuscript, along with information concerning the breeding and training of dogs. Everything is illustrated in detailed, coloured drawings.
Folio 94v illustrates and explains the behaviour used by the falconer to calm the hunting bird.
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