of them real and some imitated — ^pictured — ^by the surface-patterns of animals. 

 Some of these counterfeits are very highly developed and effective (e. g., the 

 whip-poor-will, No. 50), while others are comparatively obscure. But even so 

 casual a rendering of this effect as is achieved by the young owl's face (No. 

 i) may well benefit the animal that wears it, in the long run — since it tends 

 to mask the creature's true structural form and look of life. 



A good many mammals* have the form of 'distractive' coloration men- 

 tioned in the case of pheasants, etc. (Chapter XVII), namely, strongly banded 

 tails and delicately marked (or unmarked) obliteratively shaded bodies. 

 Almost all are beasts that live in holes, and dart into them in time of danger; 

 and their banded tails undoubtedly work for their safety by diverting the pur- 

 suer's attention and attack to a point behind them, in the essential moment of 

 their darting forward into their retreat. Even if they are actually seized by the 

 tail, they may still tear free and escape — whereas a body-grip would far oftener 

 succeed. When such beasts a^e quiet, their tail-bands act obliteratively, to 

 the full — as we have already seen in the case of birds (Chapter XVII). 



We have now examined what seem to be the main principles and many of 

 the chief phases of disguising coloration among mammals. But, as I said 

 before, it is likely, nay, certain, that many types of particular interest have 

 escaped the notice of my father and me. It is true also that we should be ad- 

 venturing beyond the proper scope of this book if we tried to give more than a 

 clear sketch, illuminated by a few chosen representative details, of any one 

 branch of the big and intricate general theme. Our next subjects — ^fishes, 

 reptiles, and batrachians — must be considered even more briefly, owing to 

 our very fragmentary knowledge of these animals. 



* Spermophiles, lemurs, raccoons, etc., etc. 



158 



