評論
打印
Their finding?
結果如何呢？
The coots that couldn't tell when a stranger's egg had been stuck into their nest laid that many fewer of their own–sneak one in, the coot lays one fewer.
不能認出陌生蛋骨頂巢里的蛋越來越多，而自己的蛋越來越少。
Sneak two in, the coot lays two fewer.
如果多出兩個陌生蛋，它們就會少生兩個蛋。
Coots that successfully spotted intruders knocked them out again and then laid the same number they normally would.
而那些認出闖入者的鳥則會將其趕走，然后產下通常相同數量的蛋。
If the number of eggs laid were independent of how many the coot sees in its nest, coots that allow a stranger's egg should wind up with one egg extra.
如果產蛋數量與巢里蛋的數量是獨立的，那么骨頂就會算上陌生蛋，不再生蛋。
But they don't.
可是他們它們不會。
Lyon argues that, along with egg recognition, the coots must therefore be doing some version of I see I have nine eggs here-time to stop laying now.
里昂認為，骨頂是具有識別蛋的能力，它們可能在想已經有了九個蛋，可以停了。
And that means coots count.
那就意味著它們能數數。
Other researchers aren't convinced.
其他研究人員并不相信這一理論。
But though the debate goes on, the case for animal counting just got stronger…by the weight of one coot.
雖然爭論還在繼續，但權因骨頂，動物會數數的事例越來越多。
