WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 
branch upon which they live, that it requires very close 
inspection to detect them. In butterflies and moths 
especially, the colour and form is so frequent a resem- 
blance to the object upon which they rest, that only 
expert and trained eyes can see them ; persons unaccus- 
tomed to their appearance and remarkable mode of con- 
cealment are unable frequently to see them even when 
pointed out by the practised and skilful collector. 
Large crocodiles and alligators lying on the banks of 
rivers look like fallen trees on the rough surface of the 
muddy bank ; the chameleon and other reptiles have the 
power of assuming the colour of the branches and leaves 
upon which they rest, and thus escape notice. Many 
creatures select for hiding-places such as assimilate to 
their OAvn colours, and with watchful eyes remain quiet, 
and thus remain unobserved. The striped tiger in the 
reedy jungle is not easily seen through the dead and dry 
reeds and long grass, the dark stems of which singularly 
hide and mingle with the dark stripes of the animal ; as 
difficult also is it to see the lion upon the sandy rocky 
ground, which it resembles in colour, as much as the 
ptarmigan in its white winter dress resembles the snow- 
clad mountain where it hides. All sportsmen know how 
slight a hollow in the ground, or how small a bunch of 
weed or twig, will serve to screen from sight a hare or 
other animal. The skill or cunning, as it is called, 
employed to escape detection by many animals would 
afford an inexhaustible subject. A bird of dark colour 
will stand in the shadow of a tree or other object, or squat 
upon the ground by a clump of earth less than itself, and 
yet appear to be part of it. 
All these are striking instances of the means of escape 
from foes, or to enable the creatures to live ; for the re- 
markable part of these deceptions (if they may be so called) 
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