Bone undertook many major architectural commissions, including sculpting all but one of the animals in the Scottish National War Memorial. Alongside these prominent projects, she also produced smaller works, mostly in bronze. This work is an example of this. When asked why she concentrated on sculpting animals, Bone replied: ‘All these creatures that fly from us shyly or threaten us fiercely interest me. I am enthralled by their shapes, their rhythmic movements, which, separately and combined, are so decorative and sculptural.’