Claim: The Little Egret by Austen is lost in its surroundings; the plate lacked atmosphere, however much it may have appealed to the ornithologist.
Evidence: Austen's favorite subjects were wild animals, and she was successful in the illustration of books. Her etchings of animals and birds were popular in the 1940s and 1950s. The Little Egret is lost in its surroundings. The plate lacked atmosphere, however much it may have appealed to the ornithologist. Winifred Maria Louise Austen (12 July 1876– 1 November 1964) was an English illustrator, painter, etcher and aquatint engraver.