XVI 



THE evolution of modern firearms has stripped war of 

 Protective much f its display and our soldiers of 

 colour much of their finery. Colours cannot now 

 be carried into action and 'the thin red line' is no 

 longer admissible in present day tactics. Scarlet, the 

 traditional national attire of our warriors, is reserved 

 for a ' walking- out ' dress, beloved of nursery-maids, 

 and troops going on active service leave in store the 

 tall bearskins and other headgear whereby, under the 

 old system, it was sought to shake the nerves of the 

 enemy. Resort is had to every device to make the 

 fighting man as invisible as possible. Plain khaki is 

 a poor contrivance for that end ; raiment of a uniform 

 tint being always more conspicuous than a mottled or 

 striped fabric. Some useful hints on this matter might 

 be taken from certain wild animals. At rifle range, 

 I am assured, a zebra is a far less conspicuous mark 

 than a brown or bay horse. 



The present month presents some interesting 

 phenomena in the protective coloration of birds. 

 The plumage of all male birds is now at its brightest 

 and best, while that of the females, whose business is 



