CONSPICUOUSNESS IN NATURE 19 
Repellent sounds are very commonly used 
to ward off a foe: sudden and_ therefore 
startling sounds are especially used. Attract- 
ing sounds, to draw an enemy’s attack from 
the young, are often difficult to distinguish 
from the alarm notes made to warn the young 
of danger ; it may be that sometimes the same 
note is used for the two purposes. The cry 
of the Plover or Curlew certainly causes the 
young to take cover, and more than likely 
distracts the enemy’s attention from the young 
to the screaming parents. 
Evidence will be brought forward later to 
show that the songs of birds are to protect 
the female, by drawing the attention of 
any near predatory animal to the singer, 
the male. 
It may be here mentioned that the drawing 
of an enemy’s attack is not in any way an 
act of self-destruction. Predatory animals 
usually take their victims by surprise, and 
probably then stand as good a chance of 
making a successful capture, as when the 
victim is purposely exposing itself in order 
to draw attack. 
Scent.—Scent is used precisely like Sound. 
Repellent scents are always unpleasant ; but 
owing to the inferiority of our sense of smell, 
