326 Bird - Lore 



they may be applied. In making demonstrations, one should be careful always 

 to stage them out of doors where the light comes from above and from all 

 sides, otherwise one is doomed to disappointment. It is not difficult to imitate 

 Mr. Fuertes' demonstration with the counter-shaded model by substituting 

 tennis balls or blocks of wood for the carved models. The advantages of 

 ruptive marks and of color patterns simulating the environment can likewise 

 be demonstrated. 



In studying the birds of the open fields like the Meadowlark, female Bobo- 

 link, Vesper and Savannah Sparrows, etc., attention should be called to the 

 predominance of streaks corresponding in pattern, if not always in color, to the 

 lights and shadows among the grasses. Comparisons should be drawn with 

 such woodland birds as the Grouse and the Woodcock, or even the woodland 

 Warblers which though often brightly colored, have irregular blotched patterns 

 simulating either the forest floor or the light filtering through the leaves. If 

 one has access to a museum or a collection of mounted birds, he can readily 

 demonstrate many different types of color patterns in terms of the birds' 

 habitats or places where they spend most of their time. Of course, there are 

 many uniformly colored birds and others that defy any theory of protective 

 coloration to explain, but these are the exceptions rather than the rule. 



Children often bring insects to the schoolroom and many of them demon- 

 strate the principles of protective coloration far better than do birds. Counter- 

 shading, color pattern, ruptive marks, flash colors, and mimicry are abundantly 

 illustrated by various species of moths, caterpillars, grasshoppers, walking 

 sticks, etc., and a collection of insects might well be made to demonstrate 

 the different principles. 



QUESTIONS 



1. What is meant by 'counter-shading'? 



2. Name five birds in which counter-shading is an important feature of the bird's colora- 

 tion. 



3. What is the importance of having the color pattern of a bird's plumage similar to that 

 of its environment? 



4. Name five different types of color patterns and a bird on which each is found. 

 S- Explain 'ruptive marks.' 



6. Name five birds which have ruptive marks. 



7. Explain 'flash colors' and tell how they are of advantage to the bird possessing them. 



8. Name five birds which possess flash colors. 



9. What is meant by 'mimicry'? 



10. Name five birds that mimic their surroundings. 



