24 THE WANDERINGS OF ANIMALS [CH. 



there is plenty, often gorgeous and beautiful in colour. 

 Vividly coloured are also many of the other creatures, 

 frogs, snakes, lizards and butterflies. Colour has to 

 be laid on vividly, quiet coloration being out of place. 

 The blooms have begun the race. Red, yellow or 

 white, self-colours, are very effective against the green. 

 If a creature intends to be seen, for beauty's sake, it 

 has to use bright colours, since it is only by contrast 

 that it can attract attention. Again those which do 

 not want to be seen must dress as loudlv, and in tints 



/ / 



as saturated, as are the prevailing tones of the en- 

 vironment. 



Most of the tree-frogs are green, unless they are 

 delicate studies in brown with irregular markings 

 to suit the moss- and lichen-coloured branches upon 

 which they rest. Some have 'flash colours/ orange, 

 yellow or red on parts which are quite concealed 

 when the creature sits still. It trusts to not being- 

 discovered ; but touch him and there is a flash of 

 yellow in the air, which vanishes in a moment, the 

 frog also vanishing. He has dazzled his pursuer by 

 this sudden and unexpected display of colour, has 

 then caught hold of a leaf with some of his adhesive 

 finger disks, vaulted on to it and there sits demurely 

 indistinguishable from the foliage. 



Many tree-snakes are green and so are many 

 parrots, motmots and other typical tropical forest 

 birds. Other parrots, pigeons, toucans are loudly 



