APPARENT EXCEPTIONS. 191 



the general imitation of effect is perfect. And so 

 curiously is the purpose of concealment worked 

 out in the plumage of the Woodcock, that one 

 conspicuous ornament of the bird is covered by a 

 special provision from the too curious gaze of 

 those for whose admiration it was not intended. 

 The tail-feathers of the Woodcock can be erected 

 and spread out at pleasure like a fan, and, being 

 tipped on their under surface with white of a bril- 

 liant and silvery lustre, set off by contrast with an 

 adjacent patch of velvety black, they then pro- 

 duce a most conspicuous effect. But the same 

 web, which on its under surface bears this beauti- 

 ful but dangerous ornament, is on its upper surface 

 dulled down to a sombre ashy-gray, and becomes 

 as invisible as the rest of the plumage. These are 

 all provisions of Nature, which stand in clear and 

 intelligible relation to the habits of the bird. It 

 rests all day upon the ground, under trees ; and 

 were it not for its ingeniously adapted colouring, 

 it would be peculiarly exposed to destruction. 

 Man is an enemy whose cunning inventions over- 

 come all such methods of protection, and the 

 Woodcock when in his most rapid flight is now 



