MIMICS AMONG BIRDS 221 



walked over without being observed. The colour 

 of the red grouse is strikingly in accord with that 

 of the purple heather among which the nest is 

 found. Their eggs also imitate the colouring of 

 their surroundings. The wind-shaken feathers of 

 the shaggy, gaunt herons make them look precisely 

 like driftwood when standing in a pond. 



The night- jar or goat-sucker has learned to pro- 

 tect herself during the day by resting on grey 

 stones. Her mottled plumage corresponds to the 

 colour of the stones ; and her eggs, also the colour of 

 her plumage, are laid on the bare ground, or on the 

 stones. Leaf -warblers attach to their nests leaves 

 of the same tree in which they are built. Many of 

 the brilliantly coloured birds of the tropics, like the 

 toucans, motmots, and bee-eaters, build their nests 

 in the holes of trees, and consequently have no need 

 of mimicry. 



Birds like the lark approach or depart from their 

 nests by darting suddenly down through the under- 

 brush, then proceeding in a roundabout way so as 

 not to be followed. The winchat also approaches 

 her nest in a winding and deceptive manner. Rails, 

 if they are aware that they are being watched, actu- 

 ally pretend to sit down upon their nest when a 

 long distance from it. Sometimes the male bird 



