56 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP. 
closely resemble Ants, and several other in- 
sects mimic Wasps or Hornets. 
Some reptiles and fish have actually the 
power of changing the colour of their skin so 
as to adapt themselves to their surroundings. 
Many cases in which the colouring does not 
at first sight appear to be protective, will on 
consideration be found to be so. It has, for 
instance, been objected that sheep are not 
coloured green ; but every mountaineer knows 
that sheep could not have had a colour more 
adapted to render them inconspicuous, and 
that it is almost impossible to distinguish them 
from the rocks which so constantly crop up 
on hill sides. Even the brilliant blue of the 
Kingfisher, which in a museum renders it so 
conspicuous, In its native haunts, on the con- 
trary, makes it difficult to distinguish from a 
flash of light upon the water; and the richly- 
coloured Woodpecker wears the genuine dress 
of a Forester—the green coat and crimson 
cap. 
It has been found that some brilliantly 
coloured and conspicuous animals are either 
nauseous or poisonous. In these cases the 
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