48 
ch. xi] PROTECTIVE COLORATION 
interest and enjoyment a deer-forest or grouse-moor 
can afford. 
The wildebeest or gnu were the shyest and least 
plentiful, but in some ways the most interesting, be¬ 
cause of the queer streak of ferocious eccentricity 
evident in all their actions. They were of all the 
animals those that were most exclusively dwellers in 
the open, where thei’e was neither hill nor bush. Their 
size and their dark bluish hides, sometimes showing 
white in the sunlight, but more often black, rendered 
them more easily seen than any of their companions. 
But hardly any plains animal of any size makes any 
effort to escape its enemies by eluding their observa¬ 
tion. Very much of what is commonly said about 
“ protective coloration ” has no basis whatever in fact. 
Black and white are normally the most conspicuous 
colours in nature (and yet are borne by numerous 
creatures who have succeeded well in the struggle for 
life); but almost any tint, or combination of tints, 
among the greys, browns, and duns harmonizes fairly 
well with at least some surroundings in most land¬ 
scapes ; and in but a few instances among the larger 
mammals, and in almost none among those frequenting 
the open plains, is there the slightest reason for sup¬ 
posing that the creature gains any benefit whatever 
from what is loosely called its “protective coloration.” 
Giraffes, leopards, and zebras, for instance, have actually 
been held up as instances of creatures that are “ pro- 
tectingly ” coloured, and are benefited thereby. The 
giraffe is one of the most conspicuous objects in nature, 
and never makes the slightest effort to hide. Near by 
its mottled hide is very noticeable, but, as a matter of 
fact, under any ordinary circumstances any possible foe 
trusting to eyesight would discover the giraffe so far 
