The Oxen by Thomas Hardy 1840-1928

 Dear Reader,

Apparently robins that live in the countryside become more aggressive when exposed to traffic noise, scientists have found. The red breasted birds are synonymous with Christmas and are fiercely territorial creatures that rely on signals, both visual and acoustic, to mark their territory and repel outsiders.   It has been found that the birds change their behaviour when threatened and that traffic noise was the trigger.

Researchers believe that while urban robins are used to louder habitats and have adapted to tune them out, their countryside dwelling cousins instead respond to raucous sounds - including traffic - by becoming more aggressive.  Dr. Caglar Akcay, of Anglia Ruskin University said: "We know that human activity can have a significant impact on the long-term social behaviour of wildlife, and our results show that human-produced noise can have a range of effects."

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I think I will write a little something every week from now on about my Chimp.  Do you remember when I wrote about the Downing Street cat and when I wrote something about the seagulls riotous behaviour?

Well this week I had a stomach ache and my Chimp told me it was probably stomach cancer.  It went after a day and was probably some prawns I ate.  So once again my Chimp was being over zealous and with the help of Prof.Steve Peter's book : The Chimp Paradox I was able to talk to Chimp as an adult and dispense with my fears. Question the chimp at every turn, especially if it is an emotional dilemma.

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From William Wordsworth, 1799, December 24th in Westmorland

'Rydale is covered with ice, clear as polished steel, I have procured a pair of skates and to0morrow mean to give my body to the wind.'

From James Woodforde, 1790, December 25th in Norfolk

'I lighted my large wax-candle being Xmas Day, during teatime this afternoon for about an hour.  It was very mild, thank God, to-day for this time of year, tho' wet and very dirty walking.'

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I am putting on my favourite Christmas poem.  It is by Thomas Hardy. 1840-1928

The Oxen

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock,
"Now they are all still on their knees,"
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearth-side ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen.
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
"Come, see the oxen kneel,

"In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
our childhood used to know,"
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

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Thank you all for being with me on this small blog,
it is very cheering to know that you are out there.

Have a very happy Christmas and very best wishes,
Patricia