292 



FIRST LESSONS IN ZOOLOGY 



kind at lony distances. Some naturalists believe that 

 the briglit colors and conspicuous markings of male birds 

 are for the purpose of pleasing and attracting the females 



Fig. 229. — VaridUb mollis and wasps, the moths having the appearance of wasps, 

 probably through mimicry, and protecteil by being mistaken tor the stinging 

 insects. (Natural size; photograph by the author.) 



at mating time. And still other uses have been ascribed 

 to color-markings in various animals. But with all these 

 different explanations there arc still many cases for -which 

 we can give no satisfactor}' explanation based on useful- 

 ness. There is much yet to be learned about color and 

 pattern in animals. 



Poulton's tlie "Colors of Animals" is an interesting 

 book on this subject; see also Newbigin's "Color in 

 Nature," and Beddard's " Animal Coloration." 



