Britain

Naked Data©

The 1844 census of Jerusalem found 7120 Jews...5760 Muslims...3390 Christians.

In 1869, Mark Twain wrote of the emptiness of the land, of traveling all day without seeing a human being on the roads or in the countryside.

Considering that the question of involuntary emigration has assumed major proportions and that the fate of the unfortunate people affected has become a problem for intergovernmental deliberation; http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/evian.html

Apparently so, according to some research being done in Germany.  Scientists are finding that some species of birds are actually evolving into separate, distinct species thanks to bird feeders changing their natural habits.  This is interesting, as it could change how science views evolution and is proof that animals can adapt more quickly to changes in their environment than previously thought.

The study, done at the University of Freiberg, shows that Central European Blackcap Warblers have split into two separate reproductive groups.  One group is behaving as Warblers always have, migrating and pairing with little change in habit.  The other group, comprising about 30% of the population, has changed and no longer migrates, staying put in their various European homes thanks to humans giving them food through the winter.

This change has happened in only about 30 generations, must faster than would have been expected.  Further, birds in Britain have evolved distinctively different beaks and wings, no longer having to fly as far and subsisting on a diet heavier in seeds and nuts.  Thanks to bird feeders.

The two groups of Blackcaps are now two isolated reproductive groups, which means their splitting will evolve even further with time.

In the wilds of the nations, it may be a matter of life and death to know what type of animal a nation is, and the habits of that animal.

Very young children often mistake dogs for cats, or anything furry with legs for a domestic pet. An adult should be able to recognise a wild animal from a tame one. An expert who knows and understands wild animals will be able to handle a wild animal that an ordinary person should avoid.

Internationally, it helps to be an expert on animals. I'll explain.

We keep hearing that Iran (Persia) is a cat. It is persistent. I have found recently the wiki-answer to the national animal for Iran is 'a Persian cat'.

And historically this 1911 British cartoon from Punch also has the same idea .

(Caption was "If we hadn't a thorough understanding, I (British lion) might almost be tempted to ask what you (Russian bear) are doing there with our little playfellow (Persian cat)." Source Wikimedia Commons)

But Iran does not associate itself, and has never associated itself, with such an ordinary domestic animal. In the same way as someone from Hamburg might not relish you asking for a hamburger, and if you did they will give you an open frikadelle