You were only waiting for this moment to arise
One knows how American news is full of local bullcrap, but it takes something special to make the Brits start talking about localized *American* events. Which is why the following story fills me with pleasure.
Into the light of the dark black night.
From the Beeb.
Chicago residents have been sharing tips about how to avoid coming under attack by dive-bombing blackbirds.
More radical suggestions aimed at fending off the swooping attackers have included mimicking the sound of a barking dog or even imitating a larger bird.
Another correspondent suggested cyclists should install baskets on their bikes with a cat inside. "Or better yet, wear an oversized helmet with a trap-door with a stealth cat inside."
Into the light of the dark black night.
From the Beeb.
posted by Tabula Rasa | 6/24/2008 11:40:00 PM
14 Comments:
Dive bombing blackbirds? Sounds pretty scary. When birds start getting ideas out of horror movies..
Hey Prof, did you see the new Night Shyamalan movie?
Maybe bird attacks are just the beginning.
Nature is on the warpath my friend, I'd keep an eye on those potted plants if I were you.
The Brits are only interested because of this intense paranoia they have that there is a secret revolution in the offing, being plotted by the Parliament of Flying Feathered Thingies. Which is why Maurier wrote 'The Birds'.
Australian magpies attack too. Here is some advice from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Magpie
"Magpies prefer to swoop at the back of the head; therefore, keeping the magpie in sight at all times can discourage the bird. Using a basic disguise to fool the magpie as to where a person is looking (such as painting eyes on a hat, or wearing sunglasses on the back of the head) can also prove effective, as can holding an object above one's head. In some cases, magpies may become extremely aggressive and attack people's faces; it may become very difficult to deter these birds from swooping. Once attacked, shouting aggressively and waving one's arms at the bird should deter a second attack."
lekhni:
yeah, watch out for the emu in the shower.
mt:
i always keep an eye on potted plants. unfortunately they usually contain stuff that's no fun to smoke.
(haven't seen the movie of which you speak -- it is a principle of mine to not watch movies made by people called both night and shyamalan, after a single experience long years ago.)
??!:
parliament of flying feathered thingies? are you sure you're not confusing it with the ministry of silly flocks?
swarup:
magpies! that brings back the magenpies after *years*!
"the ministry of silly flocks"
You mean Harold?
I suppose if a parliament of birds goes astray you can blame it on a left-wing conspiracy.
blame it on a left-wing conspiracy
Uh-oh. I'm sensing a whole bunch of lame puns involving 'bird-brains', 'flocks' and the like.
TR:
Feathered Flying Flocks? Alliterative also.
Next, I would like to read an article about manic-depressive, violent pigs. (Because "Piggies" is the next song on the album...)
falsie:
yes, harold! thanks :-)
??!:
all you need is a Friday.
km:
the headlines of the nyt should suffice.
I'm sensing a whole bunch of lame puns involving 'bird-brains', 'flocks' and the like.
Nah. I think we've hit the glass onion on this one.
falsie:
oh yeah.
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heh - Not Shyamalan, this is more like a beatles meet hitchcock take.
Nature's sense of humour?
more like the columnist's :-D
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