From MIKE BLAIR
The neatly baited hook in ‘Flock law’ is taken without hesitation (Letters,
8 December). Birds which flock and indulge in ‘simultaneous’ manoeuvres
do not actually do so. Firstly, they possess good, mainly non-binocular
vision, which covers a wide field of view. Secondly, their reactions to
visual stimuli are very much quicker than humans’. It follows that the rear
birds of a flock will see the ‘wave’ of leaders turn at the same time that
the birds near the front do, and the whole flock will turn in apparent unison
to follow.
I’m afraid that flocking does not demonstrate the wonders of telepathy,
at least not on the available evidence, but I must confess that watching
flock behaviour supplies me with wonders enough, even though they can (so
far) be explained rationally.
Mike Blair Stanmore, Middlesex
