E.F. Bailey

 
Goldfinch Canary Mule by E.F. Bailey
 Once again we have no biographical details of E.F. Bailey who was painting around 1880 - 1910. It is obvious from this oil painting of a Goldfinch-Canary Mule that Bailey was an outstanding bird artist. Indeed his paintings of British Birds are among the best I have ever seen. He appears to have painted in oils, unlike Lydon or Ludlow, who used watercolours.

If one compares Bailey's work with that of Lydon and Ludlow it is arguable that he was a more accurate ornithological illustrator than either of the other two.
Clear Yellow Goldfinch Canary Mul
 
 
These images portray canary 'mules', i.e. hybrids between other species and canaries. The three shown here include a clear yellow Goldfinch Mule (with reddish face mask), a ticked buff linnet mule and a bullfinch mule,

With the exception of the Red Siskin, canary mules are almost always infertile and were produced merely to demonstrate the skill of the breeder; in addition, those like the Goldfinch Mule and the Linnet Mule were exceptional singers.

 Clear yellow Goldfinch Mule; Ticked Buff Linnet Mule and Canary Bullfinch Mule

Goldfinch, Linnet and Bullfinch Mules by E.F. Bailey
 

 
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