THEIR REPRODUCTION (NESTS) 271 



But then, on the other hand, we have certain 

 species in which there is not such a marked 

 contrast in colour between the sexes, both being 

 adorned with showy, conspicuous, or even bril- 

 liant coloured plumage, and which notwith- 

 standing build open nests. This at first sight 

 seems a fatal objection to any law ; but we 

 must remember that some of these colours are 

 rendered inconspicuous by the special method 

 of nidification, and that in other cases the nests 

 are so hidden amongst foliage that the sitting 

 parent is well concealed from view. Then, 

 again, many of the species that come into this 

 division do not need to derive their safety 

 whilst incubating from an inconspicuous dress, 

 because they are pugnacious or powerful and 

 well able to defend themselves and their charge 

 from attack. Among such birds we may name 

 the gaudy Jays, the conspicuous Herons, Gulls, 

 Crows, and so forth. Other and less comba- 

 tive species sit very lightly, and leave their nests 

 the moment danger is detected. Then, again, 

 we have to consider another small group in 

 which the male is less showy than the female, 

 yet still hatch their eggs in open nests. We 

 have already alluded to this phenomenon, but 

 not, however, from the present point of view. 



