The Audubon Societies 



325 



tectively colored, but the majority feel that the colors of some birds cannot be 

 explained by any of the foregoing principles, that they may even be conspicu- 

 ously marked. A Crow on the snow or against the sky, or anywhere except 

 in a coal-hole, is bound to be visible from any angle. But the Crow has been 

 endowed with an intelligence and a wariness which need no concealing colora- 



FLASH COLORS OF THE WILLET 



When at rest the Willet is an inconspicuous gray bird, but in flight it displays a 



strikingly conspicuous black-and-white pattern on the wings and tail. How can 



this be a 'protective coloration'? 



tion to supplement them. Dr. Chapman has suggested that one can usually 

 tell from the actions of the birds whether they consider themselves conspicuous 

 or not, for the protectively colored species always permit of a close approach 

 while those that are conspicuously marked fly at the first intimation of danger 

 and never rely upon concealment even when wounded. 



SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS 



The principles of protective coloration, although quite simple, usually 

 require some sort of a demonstration before they are fully comprehended by 

 youthful observers. Once they are fully understood, however, a new world of 

 thought is opened, and it is surprising to discover the numberless ways in which 



