434 SAVAGE SUDAN 



and the latter danger-signal not the most sedulous care can 

 conceal. 



While traversing the naked sands of the desert, a company 

 of these finch-larks may startle the wanderer by suddenly 

 springing underfoot from nothing like the stones of Deucalion. 

 At once a suspicion of "colour-protection" suggests itself; yet 

 the idea fails to materialise when brought to the test. Those 

 birds had simply caught us napping. Not even an ornithologist 

 can be for ever intently scanning a void of sun-scorched sand. 

 But mark them down and then stroll past their new position. 

 Truly the deception is masterly, a triumph of Nature's art. 



"PROTECTION THAT FAILS TO PROTECT." 



Each bird squats flat in a tiny furrow ; each washed-out mantle 

 corresponds to a shade with the sand flush alongside it one 

 almost descries sand-ripples reflected on coverts and scapulars. 

 But there the deception fails ; for a velvet-black head and 

 snow-white cheeks reveal the little skulker's secret. Besides, 

 the next "ornithologist" to come along will be of the kind 

 with piercing eye and ready talon that misses nothing the 

 desert-harrier (Circus pallidus). Admittedly it is a great effort, 

 and should any reader regard my case- as unproven, let him 

 inscribe Pyrrhulauda on the slate. For myself I cannot accept 

 " Protection " that just fails to protect. 



Where, in the outer desert, fancy suggests that the limits 

 of all life have been left behind, you encounter the big bifasciated 

 desert-lark (Certhilauda), in colour sandier than the sand itself; 



