Remember that perching birds, such as 
Thrushes, Warblers, etc., have their ‘‘heels’’ closer 
together than their feet. 
Nightjars sit along the bough—not across it. 
Tree Creepers and Woodpeckers when tree- 
climbing have their tails resting on the bark. 
Most Raptorial birds show only the foot when 
resting. 
Ducks and many other web-footed birds are 
pen-toed. 
Gulls when resting have their legs quite 
straight. 
Birds in flight, in addition to having their 
wings extended, have the tail spread, and (except 
in a few cases) carry their legs close to the body 
with the toes shut. 
The above are examples of a few characteristics, 
which, when appropriately reproduced, go a long 
way towards the making of a bird. 
When satisfied with the position and angle of 
the legs, adjust the head and neck. If the bird is 
being set in an attitude of repose, press the head 
down the neck wire until it rests between the 
shoulders. In representing a bird on the alert, the 
neck should obviously be extended, but avoid a com- 
mon fault with beginners—that of making the neck 
too long. When posing the head, a slight turn and 
tilt will give a lot of life. 
The wings and tail now require attention. Lift 
up the wings and pin them in their normal positions 
32 
