April 11, 2004

Swansong?

Research has recently shown that a common species of bird (The Great Tit) has changed its song to adapt to human activity. It seems that the male Great Tits that live in the countryside (where it is quiet) sing a song that has more low notes in it, while those that live in the city (where they have to compete with traffic noise and the constant blowing of auto horns) have added some notes in the higher registers of their song in order to better be heard by a potential mate. Perhaps in the future, the din of mankind will have succeeded in producing a kind of bird that does not sing at all, and that relies on the Internet chat rooms, instant messaging, and email to meet and attract its mate. Now, wouldn't that be special!

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