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Alex studies wild birds, which he releases after 3 months of research.
This one is nicknamed 007, and it's about to attempt what Alex believes is one of the.
Most complex tests of the animal mind ever constructed. The bird is familiar with the individual objects,
but this is the first time he's seen them arranged like this. 8 separate stages, that must be completed in a specific order if the puzzle is to be solved.
And, if the bird succeeds, it'll be a world first. He takes time to have a look, and then starts with the short stick.
Stage 1.
He finds it's too short to reach the food. He then sets off to get the first stone.
But, he drops it.
And another, he seems to be stuck.
But then, something seems to click.
He deploys the first stone.
And then another.
Got it! The 8th, and final stage.
Success. 8 individual stages of 1 complex puzzle, completed.
That was remarkable. I've never, ever seen anything like it. Of all of the bird behaviour that I've seen, nothing matches that. I can hardly believe it. I'm still just running that sequence through my mind. It happened really quickly. But, the immediate question is of course: How on earth did that crow do that?
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Chris: Can I stay in here?
Alex: Absolutely, you can sit and watch and we’ll see what happens.
Chris: Come on then, Send in your mastermind – ‘cos it’s gonna need that.
Alex studies wild birds which he releases after three months of research. This one is nicknamed ‘007’, and it’s about to attempt what Alex believes is one of the most complex tests of the animal mind ever constructed. The bird is familiar with the individual objects, but this is the first time he’s seen them arranged like this. Eight separate stages that must be completed in a specific order if the puzzle is to be solved. And, if the bird succeeds it’ll be a world first.
He takes time to have a look and then starts with the short stick. Stage one. He finds it’s too short to reach the food. He then sets off to get the first stone. But he drops it. And another. He seems to be stuck. But then, something seems to click. He deploys the first stone. And then another. Got it! The eighth and final stage. Success. Eight individual stages of one complex puzzle completed.
Chris: That was remarkable. I’ve never, ever seen anything like it. Of all of the bird behaviours I have seen, nothing matches that. I can hardly believe it. I’m still
just running the sequence through my mind. It happened really quickly. But the immediate question is of course; how did that crow do that?
246 words
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Useful Expressions
absolutely いいとも
“Can I stay in here?” “Absolutely”
Come on then. では、しようよ！
mastermind 偉大な知識の持ち主
Come on then, Send in your mastermind (send in the crow)
‘cos ＝because（口語）
‘cos it’s gonna need that.
be about to… まさに…しようとするところ
attempt 試みる/挑む
complex 複雑な/入り組んだ
construct 構成する
it’s about to attempt what Alex believes is one of the most complex tests of the animal mind ever constructed.
be familiar with… …に精通している
individual 個々の
object 物体
The bird is familiar with the individual objects
specific 特定の
Eight separate stages that must be completed in a specific order if the puzzle is to be solved.
have a look 見る
He takes time to have a look
too… to— …すぎて—できない
He finds it’s too short to reach the food.
set off 始める
He then sets off to get the first stone.
be stuck 八方塞がり
He seems to be stuck.
deploy 配置する
He deploys the first stone.
remarkable 珍しい
That was remarkable.
never, ever… 決して…ない
I’ve never, ever seen anything like it.
hardly… とても…ない
I can hardly believe it.
sequence 順序
run through one’s mind ～の頭をかけめぐる
I’m still just running the sequence through my mind.
immediate 即座の
But the immediate question is of course; how did that crow do that?
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