Natural History
Learning more about Natural History with our online learning resources and activities.
Rook in the Red Coat
Children playing in the early 20th century captured and put a red coat on this rook. When it flew back to the rookery it’s flock rejected it and made such a noise that the keeper came and shot the bird.
The sad story of this rook might tell us something about the behaviour of these intelligent birds. Was it curious as to what the children were doing? How else did they get close enough to catch it? It also highlights how people have sometimes treated animals: using them as a source of entertainment and persecuting them when they cause inconvenience.
Owl Butterfly
Many butterflies have wings with dazzling patterns and colours. This specimen from The Beaney is a butterfly native to the forests of central and South America. The butterfly gets its name from the distinctive pattern on its wings. The markings are a kind of camouflage, they seem to mimic the eyes of an owl and so they help the butterfly ward off its predators by confusing them.
