COLOR A PROTECTION. 23 



upon the ground, are secreted from the searching eye 

 of the Hawk and the Kite by their grey speckled 

 plumage, which resembles the ground on which they 

 move. The tawny feathers of the Whip-poor-will 

 also afford it a means of protection, even from man, 

 as it is extremely difficult to distinguish it from the 

 log upon which it may be crouching, almost within 

 our reach. The Ptarmigan, which inhabits very cold 

 northern climates, in summer has its plumage marked 

 with stripes of black or brown, which colors more 

 nearly approach to those of the rocks and barrer 

 heaths upon which it lives ; but, did these hues re 

 main during the winter, when the snow covers ever} 

 object with a mantle of white, the place of its con- 

 cealment would be readily discovered, and it would 

 fall an easy prey to the Snowy Owl or the Gyr Fal- 

 con. What then is the provision of Nature to guard 

 against this danger? As the cold season advances, 

 the feathers, by some unknown process, gradually 

 become white, and the bird burrows fearlessly in the 

 snow, in search of berries and leaves, comparatively 

 secure from the eye of its enemy. 



Another object besides safety is gained from the 

 concealment afforded by the peculiar colors and 

 markings of the plumage ; the support of the bird 

 being sometimes dependent upon it. Thus the Crane 

 and the Heron, and many other water birds, which 

 depend upon their dexterity as fishers for their sup- 

 ply of food, are clothed with feathers partly of white 

 and partly of a bluish slate color, and the fish as they 

 glide beneath the water recognize but little difference 



