Show The Birds Two specialists in aerodynamics aerodynamics aerodynamics at the thc California Institute Institute Institute In In- of Technology have probably discovered why birds fly ly in V formations FOR CENTURIES man has marveled at the precise formations formations formations for for- birds maintain thinking thinking thinking think think- ing perhaps the leader gives signals of some kind to other birds Now comes Dr Peter Lissaman Lissaman Lissaman Lissa- Lissa man and Dr Carl on the scene to explain that birds fly in such formations because in that way each boosts another's flight THAT IS each bird leaves in its wake an updraft from its wingtips The bird following following following follow follow- ing therefore places itself in position to take maximum advantage advantage advantage ad ad- vantage of this updraft Its It's estimated the extra lift adds more than fifty percent to the birds' birds range THE LEAD bird also benefits benefits benefits bene bene- fits from the updraft of both wing men because their updrafts updrafts updrafts up- up drafts extend forward enough to help some although he hc may not always get as much uplift as the others Birds then have known by instinct for millions of years what today's aerodynamic specialists specialists specialists are only just learning NO DOUBT animals and birds know instinctively other secrets of nature which observation and study will reveal to man |