The Big Noise of the Zoo!

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 14, 14 October 1932, Unnumbered Page

The Big Noise of the Zoo!

A number of fascinating discoveries have been recently made in connection with noise abatemefit, when the cries of various ~ wild beasts and birds were electrically measured. In making these measurements a microphone was connected with a specially constructed amplifier which converted vibrations of sound into fluctuations of current and -passed them ‘to a carefully adjusted meter. It was found that Nature, in giving voice to the wild, has acted in a strangely haphazard manner. Animals of close resemblance and_ very much the same _ habits were found to differ great--ly, yet such a strangely assorted trio as the elephant, ostrich and lion all had to a remarkable extent a very similar roar.

Animals, when-confronted. with a microphone . react strangely, according to their kind. . ile apes: displayed a curiosity and wanted ‘to -handle and ‘play with it:.. The carnivora--lions, ~ ‘tigers and bears -:contented themselves with one suspicious sniff. and then majestically. ignored. the apparatus. : The birds did not pay the . slightest . attention, neither did ‘the elephant, which assumed a very | natural air of-utter -boredom. Miles ahead of his ;competitors, the elephant is undoubtedly the big noise of the’ jungle. He roars .louder.. and "much _ more harshly than a lion ¢his nearest competitor) trumpets, squeals. like a "pup, and -whistles. like a locomotive. . ..

-Courtesy

Philips-Lamps