So, it seems to me that the scientists in this article may have read Sutton-Smith (or perhaps - and admittedly more likely - read the same evolutionary theorists he had) because their rational seems similar to his. The article is discussing the intelligent and playful nature of the common raven. The researchers are asking why ravens are so much more intelligent than other birds, and how does their playfulness tie into that.
It turns out that the reason they have come up with is that the ravens do not have an easy, routine life like other birds. They are always in changing situations, in close quarters with potential predators, and have to deal with that.
The variety of ways that they describe ravens playing is fascinating. Teasing predators, riding larger animals, and skiing behind animals on their backs. All these seem to be tactics to ensure that they have the flexibility of thinking needed to survive in their particular ecological niche.
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1 Garrison // May 9, 2007 at 10:52 am
This article makes extensive use of the scholarship of one of my favorite naturalists, Bernd Heinrich. In 1989, he published the exceedingly excellent “Ravens In Winter,” which made the NYTimes “Books of the Year” list, among others. Basically a diary, it offers terrific insight not only into the complex and often playful nature of Corvus corax, but (more usefully, even) a great sense of how science gets done. If you are a fan of scientific narrative, or love nature, read “Ravens in Winter.”
Bonus fact (courtesy Heinrich): Among the corvids, there exists a bird known as a “whiskey jack.”
Complementary fact (courtesy me): Wiskedjak, or “whiskey jack,” is a prominent trickster figure in myths from Central Woodlands Native American tribes.
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