96 NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIONS 



falcon would indicate a lanner the most probable falcon 

 of the North African desert. 



"The great snipe is also excellent, but I should be 

 glad if possible if you could show a little of the white on 

 the wings and spread the tail slightly. 



" The irides in a black Montagu's harrier received 

 alive on Saturday are dark, as in a true falcon, otherwise 

 this drawing is quite perfect. 



" Bartramia is only a sandpiper in name ; it is a plover 

 that in summer frequents the dry uplands and feeds on 

 grasshoppers. I think it would be better to cut out the 

 water and to make the surroundings a somewhat sunburnt 

 grass prairie, indicating a second bird or two on wing or 

 on foot in the far background." 



"November 29^. 



" I am sending you a good skin of storm petrel that 

 I received some time ago in flesh from W. Eagle Clarke 

 of the Edinburgh Museum. He especially wishes to 

 call my attention and yours to the peculiar shape and 



elevation of the forehead, which he says has never been 







properly indicated in drawings. I should like to have 

 this bird drawn in flight, in the trough of a heavy rolling 

 sea, unless you consider that too bold an attempt. If so 

 it would perhaps be best to make him skimming the 

 water with legs at their full length and toes extended ; 

 in fact, ^running on the water with wings extended. 

 What I want to try is the very striking effect of these 

 little black birds against a deep blue ocean sea and foam." 



