58 AFRICAN GAME ANIMALS 



individuals of the same species. Mr. Thayer considers 

 these same markings as obhterative, as conceahng. Now, 

 of course, both these theories cannot be true; as a matter 

 of fact on this particular point, while we can say that the 

 theory of Mr. Wallace is not proved and is probably incor- 

 rect, but is possibly true, we are obliged to say of Mr. 

 Thayer that his theory is obviously without any founda- 

 tion in fact and ought not to need serious discussion. We 

 mention it at all merely because scientific men of reputa- 

 tion, like Professor Poulton, and scientific journals of stand- 

 ing, like the Auk, have given it solemn, and at times fa- 

 vorable, consideration. Mr. Wallace's view that the white 

 tail of a running rabbit serves as a warning or directive 

 mark must be seriously treated; but Mr. Thayer's theory 

 that this white tail hides the running rabbit from a fox, 

 snake, or weasel ought not to need any treatment whatever, 

 serious or the reverse. 



Mr. Wallace's theory is that concealment is the general 

 and ordinary purpose served by the coloration of animals 

 — of African antelope, for example — but that their face and 

 rump markings, and in the case of African antelopes their 

 horns, serve as recognition marks, to enable the individuals 

 of each species to recognize one another, and above all to 

 enable those of opposite sex to be sure that they mate 

 within the species. We think that the facts observed in 

 the field do not bear out these theories. Mr. Wallace gives 

 pictures of the horns of twelve species of African antelope 

 to show that they serve as recognition marks. In nine of 

 the twelve species — kob, waterbuck, lechwi, gazelle, etc. — 

 these horns are confined to the male, and assume their char- 

 acteristic shape only when he is adult. It seems a very 



