134 Sea & Shore Birds 



So also with certain brilliantly plumaged birds in 

 tropical countries, there is in the trees in which they 

 pass so much of their time, either foliage, flowers, or 

 fruits of a similar colouring with themselves, which 

 aid in deceiving the eye, especially, of course, when 

 they are not moving. 



It is extraordinary how indiscernible a deer-stalker 

 or a gillie can be amongst the boulders and heather of 

 the Scotch hills, when dressed in a suit to some extent 

 resembling the surrounding ground. A seal, also, lying 

 upon a rock amongst the waves, until it moves, might 

 well be a portion of the rock itself. 



Gulls perhaps do not need to conceal themselves, 

 but their young require protection. 



Consequently, the parent birds gradually assume a 

 conspicuous plumage of white and grey, or white and 

 black for the most part, whilst the young are so mottled 

 and splashed with dull greys and browns of various 

 shades, that they are extremely difficult to distinguish, 

 especially when newly hatched and in the fluffy stage. 



Yet even the old gulls assimilate wonderfully with 

 strong lights upon cliffs and snowy crests of waves at sea. 



Lights and shadows on the plumage of birds have 

 much to do with this power of concealment. Amongst 

 insects, of course, it is equally marvellous, especially in 

 the case of those that are distinctly an imitation of a 

 bird's dropping. 



In this there is a quaint irony. 



Let us now sail away to an island which, in the 

 western seas that wash against England's shores, lies 

 away where the Atlantic rollers often hurl themselves 



