Adapted Plumage. 153 



marble veined with soft shades of grey, which will 

 rank among the fairest prizes in his cabinet. 



The colours of the lapwing are not much of a pro- 

 tection to her, but her eggs are often hard to find on 

 the burnt grass with which they harmonize so well. 

 All around are the brown stretches of the moor or, 

 perhaps, the breezy level of the old Roman encamp- 

 ment. High overheard, against the blue April sky, 

 sail the ' wanton ' lapwings, on broad and whistling 

 pinions. Now they turn over and over in the air, 

 now they sweep down close at hand, now they alight 

 at a distance and make believe to be visiting their 

 eggs. Now they fly round with shrill cries of lament 

 and protestation, louder and more vehement as the 

 steps of the intruder approach the longed-for spoil. 

 Finally, they accompany him off the ground exulting 

 in his defeat and their escape from plunder. 



The comparatively sober colour of hen birds in 

 general is no doubt to protect them from observation 

 while sitting on their eggs. The cock bird always 

 takes care of himself. Who has ever known the glossy 

 mallard or the handsome eider stand by his wife and 

 family at the approach of danger ? He is off at once, 

 while the staid and sombre duck, full of anxiety, does 

 her best to hurry her brood into a place of safety. 



Just as decorative plumage pure and simple reaches 

 its highest pitch in the adornment of the Birds of 

 Paradise, so the extreme of contrast is here presented 

 between the male and the female. 



