The Wit of the Wild 



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One has to be very careful in treating a scien- 

 tific subject in this somewhat figurative style 

 not to give a wrong impression that is, not 

 to lead the reader to suppose that the changes 

 which have come about toward protective colora- 

 tion or other beneficial adaptation to its cir- 

 cumstances have been by intention on the part 

 of the animal itself. Hence it is dangerous to 

 say that the trademarks of such advertisers as 

 these last-named insects have been counterfeited. 



Nevertheless, that in effect has happened ; and 

 many species of butterflies, beetles, etc., which 

 had no noxious qualities, are partaking of the 

 benefits of this color-protection by acquiring a 

 likeness to the bad ones, since birds avoid them 

 under the mistake that they are what their label 

 declares. 



Advertisement of warning to other animals 

 that danger threatens may take the form of 

 peculiar cries, or of attitudes, or of a display 

 of colors or of parts of the body. Tell-tale snipe 

 are so called by gunners because the instant 

 they discover the sportsman they begin yelling 

 the news far and wide, arousing the whole marsh. 



*$ 108 &* 



