REASON. 
131 
whose dress assimilates the ground, rushes, sedge, leaves, 
&c., in colour, are well aware of the benefit to be derived 
from this resemblance of tints between their plumage and 
the surrounding cover, and use it to the best advantage 
on all occasions. Partridges, Ducks, many Waders, the 
Spotted Crake, Snipe and others, squat close to the 
ground or among the grass, reeds or other cover when an 
enemy appears: the Bittern and the Little Owl assume 
curious positions, which render them unrecognizable; 
the Hoopoe throws itself flat on the sand, expanding both 
wings and tail, on the approach of a bird of prey, and in 
this position resembles a coloured rag rather than a bird; 
the Wryneck does the same, turning and twisting its 
neck, however, in such a manner as to resemble a snake. 
The young of birds which breed on the ground are 
instructed in the art of hiding as soon as they are 
hatched, while the mother seeks to entice the enemy from 
the spot. Almost all Partridges and Waders, as well as 
many of the Warblers and others, show considerable 
cunning in deceiving their pursuers. At the approach of 
man or any four-footed enemy the mother flutters slowly 
away from the nest only a few yards in advance of her 
pursuer, trembling and falling on the ground as though 
she had a broken wing or was otherwise wounded; by 
this ruse the enemy is gradually drawn away from the 
nest; and as soon as the faithful creature thinks that the 
brood is out of danger, she dashes up into the air, and 
vanishes with a cry of pleasure. 
In procuring their food many birds show a great 
amount of intelligence. I have already described the 
performances of such roving thieves as the Sparrow- 
hawk, and need not, therefore, again refer to their 
sneaking mode of catching their prey. There are, 
