286 



AUTUMN AND WINTER 



impression of the whole form. The ermine's tuft or hare's 

 ear-tip would appear like any dark stain or surface shadow 

 on the snow ; and the rest of the white form would blend 

 indistinguishably with its surroundings. In the case of the 

 snow-bunting the outline would be broken up in the same 

 way, though the dark patch of the bird's back might be more 

 noticeable. Though conspicuous when flying, its pied mark- 

 ings would hide it efficiently when at rest ; and no protection 

 pattern can do much to conceal a bird or animal when it runs 

 or flies. 



