20 JUNE 1896, Page 15

ANIMALS AND COLOURS.

[To THE EDITOR OF TIE " SPZOTAT01."3 SIR,—It is often stated, almost as unromantic truth, "that animals do not observe colours." The many instances to the contrary which have come under my notice, leads me to think

the impression has arisen from the absence of systematic observation on the point. I have a cat I introduced as a kitten to a dark-coloured dog. I was surprised to find before the cat was three months old she would eat out of the same plate with a strange dog, if dark-coloured, but showed the greatest aversion to both dogs and cats which were red or sandy, and was restless in presence of a white dog. On Tuesday I was looking out of a window at Torrington when some seven milch-cows came down the street. Several people were passing np the street on the opposite pavement, among whom was a young girl in a " verditer blue " dress. The colour was not very conspicuous, as she was on the shady aide of the street; yet five of the cows paused, stared at her, and watched her as she passed. She was apparently a stranger tc the cows, and she moved further from the edge of the pave- ment when she noticed them.—I am, Sir, &c.,