The
Art of Flying
Birds are part of the panorama
of our skies. Most members of this vast category of
the Earth's fauna have an ability that is often envied,
an inspiration for poems - and for experiments. They
scoff at the law of gravity, usually with grace and
efficiency. It is the art of flying.
For explorers of the Internet,
there is a wide variety of information on the world
of birds. There are portals
with general
information, directories,
lists of bird families, species
identification, magazines,
and an array of texts ranging from the biology of
birds to advice to those who wish to keep a bird as
a pet.
How did birds originate? How
were they able to conquer the skies? It is known that
they first appeared millions of years ago, and the
latest theories indicate that they are descendants
of the dinosaurs.
At any rate, their evolution
proved successful. According to information available
on the Internet, there are some 195
families of birds, and approximately 10,000 species!
Portal:
Birding on the Web
Portal:
Birds of the World
Introduction
to Birds
Birding.com
195
Families of Birds
Directory:
Birding on the Net
Peterson
Online (Bird Guide)
The
Lion - A Long-Haired King
Lions have long captured the
human imagination, and many consider the wild cat
to be the king of the beasts. The profile of the male
fits the bill: large, powerful and crowned with a
majestic mane.
But reality does not always keep
up with imagination. Some studies describe male lions
as inefficient and lazy, while the females, without
the trademark mane but an equally captivating silhouette,
take charge of caring for the lion cubs and of most
of the hunting duties.
The social life of lions sets
them apart from other felines because they live in
groups, known as ''prides''.
A technical
description of the lion tells us that it is of
the Mammalia class, the Carnivoro order, Felidae family,
and genus species Panthera leo. In other words, a
meat-eating mammal. This 'Panthera leo' can measure
1.2 meters tall at the shoulder and 2.5 meters long,
and is found mostly in Africa, though a colony of
'Persian' or Asiatic
lions is found in India.
On the Internet, of course, there
is abundant
information on lions, about ways we can ensure
their survival, and about the inspiration
they have provided writers and filmmakers.
One website
points out that fossils prove lions date back at least
1.5 million years, and that there also used to be
European and American lions. Lions have had a difficult
relationship with humans, and are now a protected
species. But face other dangers, such as FIV: Feline
Immuno-Deficiency Virus.
Kingdom
of Lions
Lion
Research Center
African
Lion
African
Lions and the FIV Threat
Asiatic
Lion
Lions
of the Atlas Mountains: Recovery Project
King
of the Beasts: The Lion as Inspiration
Habituated
Felines
'Felis catus' is the scientific
name for the domestic cat, which represents the evolution
of a species whose notable achievement has been its
capacity to share a home with humans.
According to scientific
classifications, the common cat - the pet of choice
for many - is a carnivore, just like the dog, and
is a member of the family of 'felids', alongside some
prominent relatives, such as lions or cougars… which
have the adjective "feline" in common.
The presence of the cat
in civilization, its adoption as a pet,
has given rise to an entire subculture. On the Internet
we see the digital reflection of this world, with
a great number of websites dedicated to the cat, ranging
from photo galleries to recommendations for cat-care
and the raising of some 30 different breeds of cat.
It was the cat's ability
to coexist with humans that allowed it to expand its
habitat. Cats can now be found around the world, nearly
everywhere on Earth where humans live.
Research has determined
that the species is approximately 9,000 years old
and that its first relations with humans date back
more than 4,000 years to ancient Egypt, where cats
were the subject of adoration.
Cat history suffered a
dark period in the Middle Ages, when in some places
in Europe people developed legends
that identified cats as demons. But in the end, cats
won acceptance as pets and as hunters of rodents,
equipped with acute senses and exceptional agility.
Where to begin in learning more about the Felis catus?
The Internet is not a bad idea:
Museum
Exhibit: 'Cats! Wild to Mild'
Catsinfo.com
History
of Cats
Cat
Behavior
Cats
and Folklore
Yahoo!
Cats
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