Masterpieces of Science 



white would be more conspicuous than any other 

 colour, and therefore a danger rather than a pro- 

 tection; but the American polar hare, inhabiting 

 regions of almost perpetual snow, is white all 

 the year round. Other animals inhabiting the 

 same northern regions do not, however, change 

 colour. The sable is a good example, for 

 throughout the severity of a Siberian winter it 

 retains its rich brown fur. But its habits are 

 such that it does not need the protection of 

 colour, for it is said to be able to subsist on fruits 

 and berries in winter, and to be so active upon 

 the trees as to catch small birds among the 

 branches. So also the woodchuck of Canada has 

 a dark-brown fur; but then it lives in burrows 

 and frequents river banks, catching fish and 

 small animals that live in or near the water. 



Among birds, the ptarmigan is a fine example 

 of protective colouring. Its summer plumage 

 so exactly harmonizes with the lichen-coloured 

 stones among which it delights to sit, that a per- 

 son may walk through a flock of them without 

 seeing a single bird; while in winter its white 

 plumage is an almost equal protection. The 

 snow-bunting, the jerfalcon, and the snowy owl 

 are also white-coloured birds inhabiting the 

 arctic regions, and there can be little doubt but 

 that their colouring is to some extent protective. 

 Nocturnal animals supply us with equally 

 good illustrations. Mice, rats, bats, and moles 

 possess the least conspicuous of hues, and must 

 be quite invisible at times when any light colour 

 76 



