The New-York Historical Society will present a large-scale, multimedia exhibition of its flock of rare, original John James Audubon watercolors February 18 to March 27.

“Audubon’s Aviary” will display 40 paintings — Carolina parakeets, flamingos, egrets, blue jays and parrots – that were preparatory for his sumptuous, double-elephant folio print edition of The Birds of America. Remarkably fragile, the watercolors can only be exhibited once every ten years, and then only in an environment that protects them from exposure to light.

For the first time, the famed bird portraits will be shown in a surround-sound of tweets and chirps, including birdcalls of now-extinct species. An accomplished musician, Audubon frequently described birdcalls and songs as an integral part of his species identification. To suggest Audubon’s observations in the wilds, visitors will hear periodic birdcalls in a supplementary four-dimensional sound program. A short video will underline Audubon’s mastery at encapsulating each bird’s personality and unique physical characteristics in a single image.

“Audubon’s Aviary” also includes three-dimensional objects, ranging from Audubon’s own portable writing desk and purse for tipping, sewn by his wife Lucy Bakewell Audubon, to ornithological models, including blue jay specimens in case on loan from the Natural History Museum and mounts demonstrating Audubon’s technique of drawing from specimens as well as from nature.

The New-York Historical Society is at 170 Central Park West. For information, www.nyhistory.org or 212- 873-3400.