28 BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. 



Shades of short hair and bloomers, what an in- 

 novation ! How the birds must gossip ! Instead 

 of the light-colored shirt and vest and decorous 

 dark coat sanctioned by the Worth of conven- 



tional bird circles for centuries, this radical decks 

 himself out in a jet-black shirt and vest, with not 

 so much as a white collar to redeem him ; besides 

 having all of four almost white patches on the 

 back of his coat ! But don't berate him who 

 knows but this unique coloring is due to a process 

 unrecognized by the Parisian Worth, but desig- 

 nated by Mr. Darwin as " adaptation " ? Most 

 field birds are protected by sparrowy backs, and 

 with his black back, the tendency certainly seems 

 to be to lessen the striking effect with lighter col- 

 ors, leaving the breast, which is unseen when he 



