FRAGMENTS. 



creatures, so defenceless and so often assailed, by the Hand 

 that formed them all. The instinct, however, of the spe- 

 cies leads our white-robed dryad to suppose herself, when 

 squatted, as safe as her sober-coated companions, though 

 her colour at once betrays her. The Alpine hare, on the 

 contrary, not being an exception, but a distinct race, seems 

 fully aware of its conspicuous winter appearance, and, when 

 the snow is off the ground, always seeks to hide among 

 the light grey rocks or thick patches of heather." 



I am sorry to say that this curiosity was unable to bear 

 the only few days of severe weather the following winter. 

 It was found in a dying state among the snow, which it 

 almost rivalled in purity. My brother has had it stuffed. 



The summer before last, another red-deer calf appeared 

 in the Black Mount, as white as a sheep. This yearling 

 can be made out on the hill at a mile's distance, among 

 heather or rocks. 



There is a pure white rook in the Edinburgh Zoological 

 Gardens, taken out of a nest at Dalkeith. The brood 

 contained several black ones besides, one of which was 

 brought away for company and by way of contrast to the 

 albino. The ivory and ebony were both in fine polish the 

 last time I saw them. 



In all creatures that put on their white winter dress, 

 there is a dark spot, left as hostage for their again appear- 

 ing in summer hue ; but albinos have always the same 

 unvarying sickly white. 



