MIMICRY. 548 



ceeding, as far as intention is exhibited, though appertaining 

 more to what is understood by " aggressive mimicry," is to be 

 found in the account of the habits of the Cassowary (Casuarius 

 bennetti), given by Mr. Wilfred Powell as observed in the island 

 of New Britain : — "I saw a Morroop (Cassowary) come down to 

 the water's edge, and stand for some minutes, apparently watching 

 the water carefully ; it then stepped into the river, where the 

 water was about three feet deep, and, partially squatting down, 

 spread its wings out, submerging them, the feathers being spread 

 and ruffled. The bird remained perfectly motionless ; I also 

 noticed that the eyes were closed, as if asleep. It remained in 

 this position for fully a quarter of an hour, when, suddenly 

 closing its wings and straightening its feathers, it stepped out on 

 the bank, where, shaking itself several times, a quantity of small 

 fishes fell from under the wings and from amidst the feathers, 

 which were immediately picked up and swallowed. The fishes 

 had evidently mistaken the feathers for a description of weed 

 that grows in the water along the banks of the rivers in this 

 island, and very much resembles the feathers of the Cassowary, 

 and in which the smaller fish hide to avoid the larger ones that 

 prey on them."* The Ruffed or Birch Partridge in Canada has 

 been described by Dr. Leith Adams as flying to a tree to escape 

 danger, where '* their statue-like posture, with neck outstretched, 

 and their motionless position on the moss-clad spruce-bough, 

 render it extremely difficult to recognize them." So close is this 

 active mimicry carried out that it is sometimes only by the 

 barking of Dogs that the sportsman is aware of the close 

 proximity of the birds. In the words of Dr. Adams, describing 

 an actual experience, " In vain we looked, for no Partridge was 

 to be seen ; still the Dog barked, and began to bite and tear off 

 the bark, when at length three birds were discovered standing 

 motionless on the moss-covered boughs, and within a few yards 

 of us."f Even more forcibly Mr. Anthony, of San Diego, Cali- 

 fornia, describes the active mimicry of the " Long-eared Owls," 

 who can assume a " rigid, stick-like position " to the surrounding 

 shrubs and branches. " To escape notice — vso great is their faith 



* 'Wanderings in a Wild Country,' pp. 271-2; and ' Proc. Zool. Soc.' 

 June 15th, 1880. 



f ' Field and Forest Rambles,' pp. 175 and 176. 



