科学美国人60秒 SSS 2014-07-30_在线英语听力室

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When you think of birds, you probably imagine their dazzling plumage or their beautiful songs. But since the days of Darwin, scientists have figured that individual species of birds should not have both: they’d either be drab virtuosos¹ or eye candy that sings only one note. Now a study shows that some songbirds are in fact show-offs in sight and sound. The work is in the Proceedings² of the Royal Society B. [Nicholas A. Mason, Allison J. Shultz and Kevin J. Burns, Elaborate visual and acoustic³ signals evolve independently in a large, phenotypically diverse radiation of songbirds]

Bright feathers and complex songs are different ways to attract a mate. The more flamboyant⁴ the display, the more likely a bird will get noticed. But these exaggerated calling cards take a lot of energy to produce. Which is why scientists assumed that birds would have to choose between melody or looks.

But an exhaustive survey of the tanagers, a family of songbirds from Central and South America, shows no sign of a tradeoff. Although some tanager species do emphasize oration⁵ over attire⁶, like the aptly named drab hemispingus, some, like the mountain tanager, are both dashing and melodious⁷. While the white-bellied seedeater is fine with looking and sounding rather dull.

The different species likely experienced different selective pressures, leading to their varied⁸ strategies. Whatever it takes to catch the eye, and/or ear, of a potential mate.

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1 virtuosos
n.艺术大师( virtuoso的名词复数 )；名家；艺术爱好者；古董收藏家
参考例句：
Like all virtuosos, Fermi had a distinctive style. 像所有的艺术家一样，费米有他自己的独特风格。来自互联网 In terms of musical performance, there are many very good French musicians, but few virtuosos. 从音乐演出来看，优秀的法国音乐家不少，可是缺乏演奏大师。来自互联网

2 proceedings
n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报
参考例句：
He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。 to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

3 acoustic
adj.听觉的，声音的；(乐器)原声的
参考例句：
The hall has a fine acoustic.这个大厅的传音效果很好。 Animals use a whole rang of acoustic, visual,and chemical signals in their systems of communication.动物利用各种各样的听觉、视觉和化学信号来进行交流。

4 flamboyant
adj.火焰般的，华丽的，炫耀的
参考例句：
His clothes were rather flamboyant for such a serious occasion.他的衣着在这种严肃场合太浮夸了。 The King's flamboyant lifestyle is well known.国王的奢华生活方式是人尽皆知的。

5 oration
n.演说，致辞，叙述法
参考例句：
He delivered an oration on the decline of family values.他发表了有关家庭价值观的衰退的演说。 He was asked to deliver an oration at the meeting.他被邀请在会议上发表演说。

6 attire
v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装
参考例句：
He had no intention of changing his mode of attire.他无意改变着装方式。 Her attention was attracted by his peculiar attire.他那奇特的服装引起了她的注意。

7 melodious
adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的
参考例句：
She spoke in a quietly melodious voice.她说话轻声细语，嗓音甜美。 Everybody was attracted by her melodious voice.大家都被她悦耳的声音吸引住了。

8 varied
adj.多样的，多变化的
参考例句：
The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。 The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

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科学美国人60秒 SSS 2014-07-30