236 Transactions. —Z oology. 
ways—first, by so ornamenting the outside of the trap-door itself with a 
selection of materials corresponding to those around, as to ensure complete 
similarity, and thereby immunity from discovery by its enemies, and second, 
by so altering the conditions of the surroundings of the nest, as to draw 
attention from the nest itself, and mislead as to the position of the door 
giving access to it. In both modes of concealment there are endless varieties 
of ways in which it is effected, and the materials used are as numerous and 
various as nature or accident have provided in the neighbourhood. In some, 
simplicity is the principle depended upon by the cunning artificer ; in others, 
bold imitation of prominent and noticeable features of the surface land- 
Scape is made to do duty as a skilful and adroit piece of deception. But in 
all, the evidences of thought, ingenuity, and reason are displayed in the 
selection of the particular materials used in special places in the caleu- 
lation of the probabilities of certain contingences happening, and in the 
apparently careless arrangement of both living and dead matter, so as to 
make what is in reality the highest art appear to be the result of natural 
and ordinary circumstances. For instance, in cultivated ground, where the 
soil has been stirred, and bare patches occur amongst the plants of artificial 
grass, you will find the outside of the trap-door simply strewed over with 
loose soil of the colour of the adjoining surface, or perchance with a small 
plant of green grass of the sorts growing in the neighbourhood, planted 
_ artificially, and growing on the lid. Where clay, hard, and baked by the 
sun and weather, has remained on the surface, you will find clay on the 
outside of the lid, plastered and smooth, or possibly with an imitation 
crack introduced, apparently at random, and, in such cases, no great trouble 
is taken to remove the excavated clay away from the hole. Whereas in 
virgin land that has never been stirred by cultivation, and where the carpet 
of natural vegetation is undisturbed, you will find the greatest care taken to 
remove to some distance away every trace of the soil and clay that has been 
excavated from the subterranean dwelling, and, as in such cases, the vege- 
tation has been removed from the space occupied by the mouth of the tube, 
and as the simple covering of the trap-door, in such circumstances, with 
only soil or clay would result in drawing attention to the nest, there the 
skilful artist brings to his aid all the taste and knowledge of the practical 
gardener, selects plants suited for his purpose, brings them from a distance, 
and actually trans plants them to the top of his trap-door with astonishingly 
natural variety and arrangement. If the soil around is covered with lowly 
mosses, you will find mosses of various hues and colours, growing green, 
and sometimes brown and dead upon the lid, or sometimes you will find 
this tiny parterre brilliantly ornamented with parti-coloured patches of 
lichens and cryptogams, or, possibly, sprigs of lycopods, ferns, or heath- 
