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科学美国人60秒 SSS 2016-8-04

时间:2016-08-16 08:51:57

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(单词翻译)

It may not be the most melodious1 bit of birdsong you’ll ever encounter. [Titmouse alarm call]. But this particular call, issued by a tufted titmouse, conveys important information about the presence of potential predators2. But only if other birds can hear it.  

它可能不是你听过的最悦耳的鸟鸣声[山雀的警报信号]。但这由簇山雀发出的特殊的呼叫,传达出重要的信息——存在潜在的捕食者。但只有其他鸟类才能听到。

Unfortunately, near a highway, traffic sounds can drown out such alarm calls. Scientists have long observed a decrease in wildlife populations in habitats adjacent to major roadways. And many figured it was the noise that drives creatures to hightail it someplace more remote. But it could be more than mere3 annoyance4 that keeps animals away. The inability to hear potentially life-saving calls could also be a factor. That’s according to a study in the journal Biology Letters. [Aaron M. Grade and Kathryn E. Sieving5, When the birds go unheard: highway noise disrupts information transfer between bird species]

不幸的是,在高速公路附近,交通的声音可以淹没这样的警报信号。科学家们观察到栖息地靠近主干道的野生动物种群数量在减少。并且许多人认为正是噪音驱赶动物们逃离到更偏远的地方。但也可能只是纯粹的打扰使得动物远离。《生物学快报》杂志上的一项研究结果表明,无法听到潜在的救命信号也可能是其中因素之一。

To test that theory, Aaron Grade and Kathryn Sieving at the University of Florida recorded that titmouse alarm call, made by a captive individual that had spotted6 an owl7. They then played this alarm call from speakers mounted in different locations in Florida state parks. Some of the spots were noisy, along Interstate 75 or U.S. Route 441. Others were more secluded8 and relatively9 quiet.

为了检验这一理论,Aaron Grade和Kathryn Sieving 在佛罗里达大学对一只圈养的山雀发出的警报信号进行录音,当发现猫头鹰时。然后他们在佛罗里达州国家公园不同的地点通过安装的扬声器来播放这一警报信号。75号州际公路或美国441号公路旁的一些地点噪音很大。其他地点则更加隐蔽,并且相对安静。

The scientists then observed the reactions of cardinals10 to these broadcasted declarations of danger. Because cardinals and other birds often eavesdrop11 on the talk of titmice for news of impending12 peril13.

然后科学家观察红雀对所播放危险信号的反应,因为红雀和其他鸟类经常窃听山雀发布紧急危险信息的谈话。

In the quiet areas, cardinals clearly responded to the titmouse alarms. They froze in place, stopped singing and scanned the area for predators. But in the noisy places, cardinals paid the warnings no heed14 and continued their regular activities.

在安静的地方,红雀明确回应了山雀的警报。它们僵在原地,停止歌唱并扫描捕食者。但在嘈杂的地方,红雀对警报置若罔闻,并继续进行常规的活动。

It’s not completely clear whether the cardinals could not hear the calls or if they were simply too distracted by the traffic to respond. Either way, looks like some birds should seek the road less traveled—or travel the regions less road-ed. Whereas hungry owls15 should hit the highway if they’re looking to sneak16 up on a snack.

对于红雀是否听不到警报或者它们仅仅是由于被交通打扰分心而做出回应,这一点还没有完全弄清楚。无论是哪种,看起来有些鸟应该寻求人迹罕至的道路——或者在有更少道路的地区飞行。而饥饿的猫头鹰如果想偷偷的靠近一个“点心”,应该到高速公路附近。


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1 melodious gCnxb     
adj.旋律美妙的,调子优美的,音乐性的
参考例句:
  • She spoke in a quietly melodious voice.她说话轻声细语,嗓音甜美。
  • Everybody was attracted by her melodious voice.大家都被她悦耳的声音吸引住了。
2 predators 48b965855934a5395e409c1112d94f63     
n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 );奴役他人者(尤指在财务或性关系方面)
参考例句:
  • birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
  • The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
4 annoyance Bw4zE     
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼
参考例句:
  • Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气?
  • I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。
5 sieving dd50feb762206b9a4d7b08b0baef1e80     
筛(选),筛分(法)
参考例句:
  • Molecular sieving effect of the ACF based PAN was found during adsorption. 在吸附时,PAN基ACF呈现出明显的分子筛效应。
  • Capillary non-gel sieving electrophoresis has made remarkable progress, especially in DNA separation. 毛细管无胶筛分电泳近年来取得了很大进展。
6 spotted 7FEyj     
adj.有斑点的,斑纹的,弄污了的
参考例句:
  • The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
  • Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。
7 owl 7KFxk     
n.猫头鹰,枭
参考例句:
  • Her new glasses make her look like an owl.她的新眼镜让她看上去像只猫头鹰。
  • I'm a night owl and seldom go to bed until after midnight.我睡得很晚,经常半夜后才睡觉。
8 secluded wj8zWX     
adj.与世隔绝的;隐退的;偏僻的v.使隔开,使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • Some people like to strip themselves naked while they have a swim in a secluded place. 一些人当他们在隐蔽的地方游泳时,喜欢把衣服脱光。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • This charming cottage dates back to the 15th century and is as pretty as a picture, with its thatched roof and secluded garden. 这所美丽的村舍是15世纪时的建筑,有茅草房顶和宁静的花园,漂亮极了,简直和画上一样。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 relatively bkqzS3     
adv.比较...地,相对地
参考例句:
  • The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
  • The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。
10 cardinals 8aa3d7ed97d6793c87fe821585838a4a     
红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 ); 红衣凤头鸟(见于北美,雄鸟为鲜红色); 基数
参考例句:
  • cardinals in scarlet robes 身披红袍的枢机主教
  • A conclave of cardinals was held to elect the new Pope. 红衣主教团举行了秘密会议来选举新教皇。
11 eavesdrop lrPxS     
v.偷听,倾听
参考例句:
  • He ensconced himself in the closet in order to eavesdrop.他藏在壁橱里,以便偷听。
  • It is not polite to eavesdrop on the conversation of other people.偷听他人说话是很不礼貌的。
12 impending 3qHzdb     
a.imminent, about to come or happen
参考例句:
  • Against a background of impending famine, heavy fighting took place. 即将发生饥荒之时,严重的战乱爆发了。
  • The king convoke parliament to cope with the impending danger. 国王召开国会以应付迫近眉睫的危险。
13 peril l3Dz6     
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物
参考例句:
  • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
  • The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。
14 heed ldQzi     
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心
参考例句:
  • You must take heed of what he has told.你要注意他所告诉的事。
  • For the first time he had to pay heed to his appearance.这是他第一次非得注意自己的外表不可了。
15 owls 7b4601ac7f6fe54f86669548acc46286     
n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • 'Clumsy fellows,'said I; 'they must still be drunk as owls.' “这些笨蛋,”我说,“他们大概还醉得像死猪一样。” 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
  • The great majority of barn owls are reared in captivity. 大多数仓鸮都是笼养的。 来自辞典例句
16 sneak vr2yk     
vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝);偷偷摸摸做;n.潜行;adj.暗中进行
参考例句:
  • He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
  • I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

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