Re: Ancien Régime Goats

From: Tim Ellis <tim_at_3xV2cp7Zk2n2PvQGOQM1DVY46m43XU2L_Nw_BXJ5Hor4RwDo6kwZIsm0m5eAmhtk-5Eb-6uY>
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:48:25 -0000

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> So I'm intrigued as to the reasons behind this: why are many Praxian
> birds bald?
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The top birds in Prax are the three feathered rivals - Sun Hawk, Thunderbird and Raven. Ravens certainly aren't bald, and I don't think Sun Hawk or Thunderbird are either. So maybe the question is "Why are many lesser Praxian birds bald?", and maybe the answer is to do with the pecking order.

The birds at the top of the pecking order pluck feathers from their underlings, so that when the females come looking for a mate the dominant birds look fit, healthy and attractive, while the subordinates look a bit bedraggled and second rate. Maybe young Praxian nestlings are threatened that if they don't behave, then Raven will visit them in the night and pluck out all their feathers?

Or maybe it just explains why Ostrich bury their heads in the sand - they are looking for where someone has hidden their wig!