Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1922-02-23
ARE PLAYING Part
Creatures of the Wild Use Ad-
VertiSing Tactics.
In loVe-Making and the Wardlng of
OF Enemies, Employment Of
Publicity Is Common.

That creatures of the wild know the
value Of advertising just as well as do
human beings is Indicated by signs that
may be seen by any one who goes into
the country.
OFTEN this advertising may be just a
dodge on the part of the insect or ami
NAL TO avoid the attentions Of another
creature who has designs upon him as
a delectable dinner mOrsel.
This popularity of nature is notice
able In regard to the butterfly, which Is
an Ingenious little publicity merchant.
Certain kinds of butterflies have nOx-
iOus qualities which are not to the llk-
ing Of birds. but there are other species
which are just the reverse. The latter
consequently assume the cOlOrings of
the former and so, by advertising their
undesirability as food, manage to pre-
serve their lives. says an English
writer.
The same tactics are adopted by bee
ties. but it is from bird and animal life
that we get the best examples. Certain
kinds of snipe, for instance, set up pc
cullar shrek as soon as they catch
sight of a shooting party. and this is
kept up until they have advertised far
and wide that the gunners are on the
lookout.
Wild sheep, also. are clever in this re-
spect. They need only to see one of
their number at attention, with head
up and ears pricked forward, to become
suspicious and ready for flight Again.
when deer register the presence of foe
they send a signal to every member Of
the band to be cautious.
The wild below of the lion is often
uttered not because he is angered and
ready to fight. He knows that to keep
away his foes he has but to remind
them of his power. and he does so by
proclalming his strength far and wide.
With just the same object does the
rattlesnake shake its castanets. The
sound of them reaches the ears of his
foes and, awed with the dreadful warn
ing of the snakes latent power. they
rapidly disappear.
But 1t is at the mating season in the
wild that the full power of publicity is
brought to bear. There is a general
Haunting of color and parade of
strength, with the object Of proving to
a possible mate how much more desir-
able than his rival each one is.
This competition for favor Is partlcu-
larly outstanding in bird life, and the
display of cOlOrs and ornaments to
catch the female eye Is carried TO per-
lection. The great peacock, while
conscious of his beauty, Mt the same
time Is aware that his rival may be
just as beautiful. and to Gust him from
favor he tides himself up and. as II
were. puts on his Sunday best.
Birds of paradise wave their wonder
full silky plumes. and the humming-bIrd
with great skill flashes his gems among
the flowers. making perfect color.
scheme.
Other birds, less fortunate in the
matter of color. find the power Of song
a great factor in gaining favor; so
these sOngsters chant their sweetest
melodies or chirrup and whistle as best
they can.
Even the numbering alligator knows
how TO advertise. and, in searching for
a bride. does his best to stage a fight
so that the lady Of his choice may see
him come forth the victor!
The same applies. writes Ernest In
gersoll. in "The Wit of the Wild" to
lions and tigers, and even the monkey.
so if you see any of those fellows vainly
strutting about 1t . zoo. don't laugh.
They know what they are doing!