THE ARTISTS BIRDS. 205 



the Curlew {Niunenius arquala)^ the Godvvit 

 {Limo.sa ruj'a), and the Phalarope (Phaiaropus 

 hypcrboreus) being especially beautiful and chaste. 

 Pass now to the graceful Herons. The Common 

 Heron [Ardea cincrea) requires no introduction 

 to the painter ; it is a bird eminently suitable for 

 river scenery. Then we have the Great White 

 Heron {^Ardea alba), the Little Egret [Ardea 

 garzetta), the Squacco Heron {Ardea comata), the 

 Bittern [Bolaurus stellaris), and the Crane {Grus 

 cinerea), ah lending themselves admirably to the 

 artist's purpose, and forming fitting ornaments to 

 the several scenes they frequent. In addition to 

 the Waterhen {Gallinida chloropus) and the Coot 

 (Fu/ica atra), must be mentioned the Corn Crake 

 (Crex praiensi.s), the Spotted Crake {Crex porzana), 

 and the Water Rail [Railas aquaticus), species 

 either found in the grass meadows, or on broads 

 and reed-fringed pools. Many species of Ducks 

 also claim attention from the landscape painter — 

 the Wigeon {Anas penelope), the Teal {Anas 

 crecca), the Shoveller {Anas chjpeata), and the 

 Tufted Duck {Fuligula cristala), all being inhabit- 

 ants of inland waters during the greater part of the 

 year. Let us see no more flocks of Wild Duck in 

 summer. A party of these birds rising from 



