Shore birds

[Phil C]

I found these vintage paintings of some type of shore birds. It appears these were done in the early 1900's. They are very intreasting, in it appears water colors, and real feathers were used to make the birds. Not knowing the type of shore birds that are hunted. I am not sure what type are trying to be presented, nor if the feathers are correct. I do not find any signature on the paints, but could be under the frame. Has any one seen birds done like this, can the birds be identified, and possibly anyone know if these were common?

Thanks Phil

[Robert Delk]

Looks like feathers from a hen mallard were used on the larger bird in the top photo.I would say flicker feathers were used on the smaller bird in the bottom photo.I think the other two birds are what they call "yellow legged sandpipers." Shore birds can be confusing as many look a lot alike at certain times of the year.

[Robert Delk]

Make that upland sandpiper instead of yellow legs.I'm sure the artist took plenty of license in doing the pictures though.

[Phil C]

Thanks for the information. I thought these paintings were rather rather unique in you do not see a lot of shore birds compared to waterfoul. Has anyone seen water colors and feathers used this way before?

[Robert Delk]

I've never seen shorebirds done that way or anything from that era(pre- 1918 ?)done with feathers. It would illegal to do it now as it involves migratory bird feathers.I don't know what the law is on ownership but I do know the wildlife people can get pretty aggressive in enforcement.

[OH Osthaus]

Last year in an antique shop in New York's Southern Tier, there was a Ruffed Grouse and a Hen Mallard done this way.

I had taken pictures, but of course proving the "you don't need it until you throw it away' law of nature. I cleared out my over load of photos on my phone just a few weeks ago, figuring those were some I would never need.

[Kevin McCormack]

The bird in the foreground of the first picture is a Clapper rail. The bird in the background appears to be a Lesser yellowleg, as does the bird in the foreground of the second picture. The bird in the background of the second picture is a Northern Flicker.

[Phil C]

Thanks guys for the information. I am not sure how good the Flickers were to eat..... but may taste like Meadowlark. When we were kids we grew up in a poorer part of the town. One of the hispanic kids next door and my brother and I would shoot Meadowlarks with our BB guns. His mother called them CHILE CON CARNES. It was not until I was in High School that I found out they were actually Western Meadowlarks. LOL.
Phil

[Robert Delk]

He took a lot of license with the flicker as they do not have barring on the head and they are good to eat.

[Dean Romig]

Yellow Shafted Flicker?