The predicted patterns come with a few exceptions, though. Horizontal: Grazing prey animals, such as sheep, deer, and horses, typically have eyes with this pupil shape.Ĭircular: Most predators that are active during the day, like humans, have evolved this type of pupil. Vertically elongated: Animals with what the scientists called "subcircular eyes," such as lynxes, are usually ambush predators that capture their prey using stealth and strategy, as opposed to primarily relying upon speed and strength. Vertical: Predators that are active both day and night, such as domestic cats, tend to have vertical pupils. When all of the data came together, the researchers and their colleagues determined that four basic pupil shapes corresponded to particular behaviors and other factors: While Banks spent hours observing animals at the Oakland Zoo in California, senior author Gordon Love, of Durham University, monitored sheep and horses in the United Kingdom. Their tremendous achievement would become the stuff of legends among the next generation, a fine example of what Rocs could achieve were others to emulate the Roc of Fawg.Hunter Or Hunted? Animal Eyes Reveal All: Photosīanks, a professor of optometry at the University of California at Berkeley, and his team analyzed 214 species of land-dwelling animals for the study.
Wing Riders were using their Rocs to carry logs and boulders to drop into the center of the Federation ranks.Įlven Wing Riders and their Rocs appeared out of the fading sunlight west bearing Wren and Padishar and the others who had fought at the Valley of Rhenn, and it time for the explanations to begin again. The Rocs had carried the Home Guard in the giant baskets, keeping well back within the shelter of the trees and mountains where they could not be seen from the plains, and Wren had ridden with Tiger Ty.
The Wing Riders had tethered their Rocs apart from the horses, and the men had stretched canvas sheets between trees to keep themselves and their stores dry. The day was clouded and gray, and the Rocs would fly unseen against the dark backdrop of the Westland mountains and forest. The Rocs were already winging south again, and Tiger Ty had turned Spirit to follow. The Rocs swept down on those who tried to smother the flames early, driving them away. Wings extended, the Rocs skimmed the watch fires, choosing those that were close to dying, and snatched up bunches of the burning embers with their hardened claws.Īway flew the Rocs, wheeling right and left toward the siege machines. The Rocs rose again, Wren still riding behind Tiger Ty, and swept wide in an arc that carried them out and away.Įleven strong, the Rocs hurtled into the Federation camp, streaking toward the watch fires. She was still not used to riding the giant Rocs, though she had done so several times now since her return.Įrring Rift gave a low whistle, and one by one the Rocs rose skyward, claws fastened to straps that held the baskets at four corners, lifting them gently, carefully away from the earth, carrying them up through the trees and into the darkened skies. Now she remembered that rocs liked rocky things, such as rock candy, rock music, and rock gardens.
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