The Blue Tit Syndrome (2)

The blue tit was the first bird to peck the metal foil tops off milk bottles to get a drink. This scam was first recorded in Southamton in 1921 and by some twenty years later every blue tit was at it.

This behaviour did not gradually emanate or spread out from Southampton but arose suddenly and independently in random places all over the British Isles. Those who study blue tits can't account for this. It can't be explained by tits passing on information to other tits - they dislike travelling.

Found in "the art of looking sideways" (P81) by Mr. Alan Fletcher" who is seemingly all over the place. See some nice articles on this great man here, here, here and, here.

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Technorai Tags; graphic design, Alan Fletcher, Blue Tit