rilE ARTIST'S BIRDS. 203 



fields and coppices, and is often seen j)erclied on 

 the back of a sheep or cow; the Jay [iiarndus 

 glandar'uis) is another remarkably handsome bird 

 of the woodlands; and the black-coated Chough 

 {P}jrrh()corax graculns), distinguished by its long 

 slender red bill and legs and feet, may be intro- 

 duced with effect into the pastures near the sea 

 along our western coast-line. The Starling [Siunius 

 'riilgaris) is another bird adapted to the landscape 

 painter, its characteristic attitudes being very 

 effective. The beautiful mottled plumage of the 

 Goatsucker {Caprinnt/gn.s curopieus) appeals strongly 

 to the artist's pencil — in fact, what could be more 

 effective than a study of bracken and fern, or a 

 moss and lichen covered branch, introducing this 

 cliarming bird as he is at horns, doling away the 

 hours of daylight, waiting for the dusk, when he 

 starts up in quest of food ? Let the artist be 

 careful, however, should he elect to paint him on 

 a branch, to place him perched along, not across it. 

 Attention may also be drawn to the various species 

 of Pigeons, all inhabitants of special districts, and 

 each possessing well-marked characteristics. The 

 Game birds, too, must not be neglected — not as 

 dead trophies, but as living creatures full of interest 

 and charm. Tlie Pheasant (Pha.sianns culc/ticus), 



