Precis Artexia 



of these kingfishers differ in detail. We admit 

 that this is the case, but would maintain, at the 

 same time, that these comparatively slight dif- 

 ferences in habit do not account for the very 

 striking differences in plumage. We may also 

 cite the yellow and pied wagtails of our own 

 country, which may be seen feeding in the same 

 meadows. Most familiar and striking of all is the 

 everyday sight of a blackbird and thrush plying 

 their respective avocations within a few yards of 

 each other on the same lawn, differently coloured 

 though they be. 



Another weighty objection to the generally 

 accepted theory of protective colouration is that 

 some of the creatures which assimilate most 

 closely to their environment are those which 

 appear to be the least in need of such protection. 



The butterfly Precis artexia, writes F. C. 

 Selous, 4< is only found in shady forests, is 

 seldom seen flying until disturbed, and always 

 sits on the ground amongst dead leaves. Though 

 handsomely coloured on the upper side, when its 

 wings are closed it closely resembles a dead leaf. 

 It has a little tail on the lower wing, which looks 

 exactly like the stalk of a leaf, and from this tail 

 a dark-brown line runs through both wings (which 

 on the under side are light brown) to the apex of 

 the upper wing. One would naturally be inclined 

 to look upon this wonderful resemblance to a 

 dead leaf in a butterfly sitting with closed wings 



203 



