PICTORIAL NATURAL HISTORY PUZZLE.

3, 5, 6, 17, 8, 2, 6 = A periodical wind.
1, 13, 4, 10, 11, 18 = A contest.
19, 23, 22, 21 = To utter reproach.
7, 13, 6 = Gained.
14, 20, 16, 21, 12 = A failing.
15, 22, 9 = Design.

What is the whole?