THE ARTISTS BIRDS. 195 



Razorbill being broad and short, and crossed with a 

 narrow white line. But the artist must be careful 

 in his treatment of their plumage, which varies con- 

 siderably according to season. These birds only 

 frequent the rocks in summer, and then they are in 

 breeding plumage, characterized by the smoke-black 

 throat and neck, which in winter are white, uniform 

 with the rest of the underparts. Let the painter 

 bear in mind that the plumage of many other birds 

 changes in colour with the season ; nuptial orna- 

 ments are assumed and lost ; whilst much diversity 

 is due to sex and age. The Puffin (Fratercula 

 arctica) also belongs to the family of Auks, but 

 prefers to frequent low islands, precipitous downs, 

 and the summits of the cliffs, where it burrows into 

 the soft earth to make its scanty nest. The painter 

 will also do well to follow this interesting bird out 

 to sea, for when engaged in fishing it forms a 

 remarkably pretty object for a marine picture. 

 Carefully painted from nature, the Puffin, with its 

 bold contrast of colour, brilliantly tinted beak, and 

 exceedingly comical facial expression, is one of the 

 best bird subjects an artist can select. Another bird 

 in quiet harmony with the Scottish lochs is the Red- 

 breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), a species of 

 Duck singularly beautiful in colour, and insepar- 



