Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Bustarding With Pride

· The National Zoo is proud of the four kori bustard chicks that hatched there this summer. It's also bragging about the artificial egg it's using to learn more about this threatened African bird.

The electronic egg has heat and motion sensors that record data 24 hours a day. The information is then used to mimic natural incubation conditions in a lab setting, which could result in even more chicks in the future.

Kori bustards, which weigh up to 40 pounds, are the heaviest birds capable of flying.

· Austin Cundy learned a lot about human nature when he set up a lemonade stand at home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, last week.

First, the 11-year-old was robbed. Two teens punched and shoved him, then stole his cash box, which had $20 in it.

But when news of the robbery got out, offers of help poured in.

Some people sent money or offered to replace the $20, which Austin (pictured at right) was going to use to go camping with his grandparents and buy his mom a birthday gift.

Based on a tip from the public, a 17-year-old has been arrested in the case.