LETTERS TO ARCHIBALD THORBURN 169 



without the white spots on the cheek. I think 

 that a figure in the background in the plain 

 young or winter dress might well come in.' 



To the same. 



'LUford: July 24, 1891. 



' The two Guillemot pictures and the Little 

 Egrets are quite perfect, but I find that the 

 naked space between the eye and the beak in 

 my Egrets is tinged with a shade of green. Do 

 what you like about any alteration, as the slatey 

 tint without green is no doubt correct in certain 

 stages of this species. I believe that you took 

 the original sketches from life here, and no doubt 

 the birds may have changed slightly since you 

 saw them.' 



To the same. 



' Lilford : August 16, 1891. 



' I consider the last batch of drawings all but 

 perfection. The Griffon could not be improved. 

 The Grey Lag is excellent, but to my eye rather 

 too plump. The Cormorant is perfect, except 

 that the cuneate shape of the tail might be more 

 indicated. The Wood Sandpiper is the only 

 one that I can really find fault with ; he ought 



