CONSPICUOUS COLOUR 35 
It appears, therefore, that Thayer’s theory, 
that all animals are protectively coloured, does 
not correctly describe the facts. An artist’s 
eye will note, or his hand be able to depict, 
the most brilliant animals among surround- 
ings which render them inconspicuous; but 
if the animals are rarely found among these 
surroundings, then such observations and such 
illustrations appertain to exceptions and not 
to the rule, and thereby hide the truth. 
Certain broad conclusions may now be 
made : 
1. Animals which are coloured with the 
primary colours and with black and white, 
and on which these colours are laid down in 
large and distinct areas, MAY or may NOT 
present conspicuous colouring : a close study 
of their habits and surroundings can alone 
decide how they must be classed. 
2. Animals which are coloured with the 
secondary colours, or with the primary colours 
much broken into small masses, one into 
the other, are almost invariably protectively 
coloured. But in these also, habits must be 
taken into account. One is now in a position 
to classify colour; as before mentioned, it 
must first be divided into Purposely Con- 
spicuous and Purposely Inconspicuous. These 
