44 DECEPTIVE COLORATION. 
bird became a conspicuous dark object against a white 
background, it took wing on the first suspicion of danger. 
I could mention many other similar instances, but the 
careful observer will soon find them included in his own 
experience. 
Deceptive, or, as Poulton terms it, “aggressive” col- 
oration is perhaps best illustrated by common F'lycatchers 
(Tyrannide). Although these birds live in and about 
trees, they are, as a rule, quietly attired in olive-green or 
olive-gray, and are quite unlike the brilliantly clad, frwzt- 
eating Tanagers, Orioles, Parrots, and other birds that 
may be found near them. Insects are therefore more 
likely to come within snapping distance than if these 
birds were conspicuously colored. In the same manner — 
we may explain the colors of Hawks, which are never — 
brightly plumaged. 
It is well known that many arctic animals become 
white on the approach of winter. With Ptarmigans 
this is doubtless an instance of protective coloration, but 
the Snowy Owl, who feeds on the Ptarmigan, may be 
said to illustrate ‘deceptive coloration. 
Recognition, signaling, or directive colors have, with 
more or less reason, been made to include many different 
types of markings, of which I shall mention only those 
that are conspicuously shown in flight or by some move- 
ment. Such are the white. outer tail-feathers of Juncos, 
Meadowlarks, Towhees, and many other birds, and cer- 
tain wing and rump patches, which are noticeable only 
when the bird is on the wing. Markings of this kind are 
supposed to aid birds in recognizing others of their kind, 
their special use being to keep the individuals of a family 
or flock together, so that when one starts the others can 
readily follow. The theory is open to objections, but 
these so-called recognition marks are so often found among 
birds that they doubtless are of some use, though their 
