ONE of the problems in natural history which hitherto 

 has baffled all attempts at solution may why nave 

 present itself to anybody who, strolling along 

 the margin of a plantation on a spring even- 

 ing, disturbs rabbits at their pasture. The problem 

 is on this wise. Nature, constant in making pro- 

 vision for the perpetuation of every species of living 

 creature, has bestowed upon the rabbit a very effective 

 scheme of protective colouration, rather more grey in 

 tone than in the tint prescribed by our War Office for 

 the fighting dress of British troops ; yet has she marred 

 her obvious purpose by finishing off the design by a 

 remarkably conspicuous white tail. 



A similar arrangement prevails among certain kinds 

 of deer ; in fact, this subject was brought to my mind 

 of late as I passed through a wood one winter morning. 

 My eye was arrested by what looked like a white pocket 

 handkerchief hanging on a bush. Presently it moved, 

 and I recognised it as the rump of a roe-deer. It was 

 only about forty yards off, yet its dark-grey winter coat 

 assimilated so nearly with the tree stems that I might 

 easily have overlooked the animal, but for the white 



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