250 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE- BOOKS. CII. XXXV. 



forms a tout ensemble of an indistinct grey colour, 

 which is most difficult to distinguish from a grey- 

 stone or rock ; indeed, at a certain distance this 

 kind of grey becomes almost invisible. I have tried 

 many shades of colour, but never found anything so 

 suited to purposes of concealment as the common 

 small-sized black and white check. 



Dressed in this kind of stuff, and sitting motion- 

 less against a rock, I have seen a roebuck, or even 

 a red deer, approach within a few yards of rae 

 without the least suspicion, although I was other- 

 wise entirely unconcealed. 



I am inclined to think that wild animals and 

 birds judge by the outline far more than by the 

 colour of any object, and immediately detect any 

 change in the shape of an accustomed rock or bush ; 

 and hence it is so difficult to look over your place 

 of ambush without being immediately discovered. 

 Variations of colour alarm them much less, because 

 all objects are perpetually changing their colour 

 according as they are wet or dry, in sunshine or in 

 shade. In wild-fowl shooting I have often observed 

 that when placed even in front of a bush, I am not 

 seen by the birds in the evening, but that, however 

 dark it may be, they take alarm if I show the 

 smallest part of my cap above the bush. 



A Highland shepherd leads, or ought to lead, a 



