From Michael Kellock
Your fascinating and disturbing feature on animals in captivity
(26 January, p 34)
refers to the use of mirrors in horses’ stables to mimic social
interaction.
Some time ago, I placed a sizeable mirror outside our house because I had
nowhere else to put it. Our two small dogs ignore it, but our two domestic ducks
carry on animated conversations with their images, regularly nap beside them and
occasionally look behind the mirror to see where their friends really are. A
white-faced heron that has taken up residence nearby also talks to his image
and, when he thinks it isn’t looking, darts quickly behind to attack
it—looking greatly puzzled to find empty air.
Foster, Victoria
