I92 THE REIGN OF LAW. 



an easier prey than in older times when sitting on 

 the ground. But before fire-arms had reached the 

 perfection which has enabled us to shoot flying 

 birds, the colouring of the Woodcock served it in 

 good stead, even against the Lords of the Crea- 

 tion. In old times it required special skill and 

 practice to see Woodcocks on the ground, and the 

 large lustrous black eye, which is adapted for 

 night-vision, was the one spot of colour which 

 enabled the fowler of a century and a half years 

 ago to detect the bird. Thus Hudibras has it : — 



" For fools are known by looking wise, 

 As men find Woodcocks by their eyes." * 



In Snipes, again, there is a remarkable series of 

 straw-coloured feathers introduced along the back 

 and shoulders, which perfectly imitate the general 

 effect of the bleached vegetable stalks common 

 on the ground which the bird frequents. 



There are other animals in which the principle 

 of imitation with a view to concealment is carried 

 very much farther than the mere imitation of 

 colour, and extends also to form and structure. 



* Hudibras to Sidrophel, 79, So. 



