From John Magrath, Oxford, UK
Following on the discussion about animals that might recognise their own reflection: when a riding school near me installed mirrors in its outdoor arena, I saw how the local rooks lined up on the fence and spent a long time looking at their reflections. After observing them numerous times, I concluded they were using the mirrors for preening and admiring the results (and each others’ looks). Maybe that isn’t true self-awareness, but it seemed similar to human vanity (Letters, 2 December).
