THE REDISCOVERED COUNTRY 335 



familiar examples. Mr. Thayer contends that this white 

 tends to blend with the night sky in such a way as to render 

 the animal invisible to an observer placed close to the 

 ground. This brings us to: 



3. Mr. Thayer tries to show that in testing out these 

 theories we should take the point of view of the animal's 

 "natural enemies, " i. e.: we should crouch down to the eye- 

 level of the lion or other carnivore. 



4. The theory of broken coloration. Mr. Thayer main- 

 tains that stripes, blotches, and patterns are intended to 

 break the mass, and that against normal backgrounds such 

 patterns are more invisible than a uniform mass. 



5. The theory of imitative patterns. That is, that 

 stripes of a zebra simulate reeds; patterns on the ends of 

 ducks' breast feathers imitate wave ripples, the blue jay's 

 colour is like shadows on snow, etc., etc. 



There are various corollaries to these five major theories, 

 but I feel no injustice is done the argument by their omission, 

 because they must necessarily stand or fall with the major 

 premises. 



In order to clear the decks for all parties and both sides 

 of the discussion, it cannot be too strongly insisted that 

 no possible pattern or scheme of coloration is either con- 

 cealing or revealing at all times and in all circumstances. 

 Combinations of light will conceal the most vivid and con- 

 spicuous object in the world. Or, conversely, an exemplary 

 — artificial or otherwise — of all the principles of protective 

 coloration can be so placed — and in normal environment — 

 so that it will show as plainly as a flag in the wind. I once 

 tied a brilliant red bandana handkerchief to a bush for the 



