THE AIUVST'S BIRDS. ic,-; 



uniform brown colouration, and only slightly pro- 

 longed central tail feathers, which do not project 

 more than an inch beyond the outer ones; Richard- 

 son's Skua [Stercorarius ricliard.soni) is distinguished 

 by its long central tail feathers and lighter under- 

 parts. These two Skuas are the only ones that 

 breed in the British Islands, but two other species 

 occur here on abnormal migration. Then w^e have 

 the various species of Petrel, all possessing well- 

 marked characteristics, which may be effectively 

 introduced into suitable marine paintings. The 

 tiny Stormy Petrel {Procellaria pelagica)^ with its 

 square tail; the Fork-tailed Petrel {Procellaria 

 leachi), with the tail forked ; whilst in both species 

 the white basal half of the upper tail coverts is 

 very conspicuous during flight. The Shearwater 

 {Piiffinus auglnrum), with its strong contrast of 

 black and wdiite plumage, short tail, and narrow 

 scythe-shaped wings, is a familiar object of the open 

 sea. Nor must we fail to notice the many species 

 of Sea Ducks and Geese that enliven our low-lying 

 coasts in winter, all of which may be readily por- 

 trayed and endowed with individuality by the artist 

 who carefully studies them. Wild Swans and 

 Geese are grandly effective birds, say when stand- 

 ing alert and watchful on the low sand-banks at 



