THE ARTISTS BIRDS. 209 



much detail may be objected to, because a want 

 of uniformity with surrounding objects would often 

 result. The question of detail largely depends on 

 circumstances. It would be manifestly absurd to 

 enter into minute details of plumage when the 

 bird is introduced on a small scale, or amongst 

 surroundings where breadth of treatment prevails. 

 The bird should harmonize as nearly as possible 

 with the degree of finish to which the entire subject 

 is brought. It must, however, be remembered, 

 that, even without entering into minute detail, a 

 bird can be admirably and truthfully depicted, all 

 that is necessary in such a case being the few 

 characteristic " touches " that endow each and every 

 species with individuality. On the other hand, 

 when the bird itself forms the dominant idea in 

 a work of art, it should be drawn with careful detail 

 and with a high degree of finish which can be 

 done however small the scale may be. Then the 

 accessories should also receive a proportionate 

 amount of detail in their treatment. 



The value of bird-life to the artist is un- 

 questionable, whilst among animal life he has even 

 wider scope for his skill. Natural history never was 

 so popular as it is at the present time. Nature 

 has been familiarized by such illustrious teachers 



