A team of scientists has discovered a new species of bird in India, the Himalayan forest thrush. It outwardly looks like its kin—they are literally of one feather, even if precise measurements later revealed some physical differences as well—but it is the song that tells them apart. The newly discovered birds, which live in conifer and mixed woods, have a melodious, harmonic song, whereas their cousins found in the rocky habitats above the forests emit a harsh cry. Is it, perhaps, an instance of nature versus nurture in animal life? In 2005, David Rothenberg embarked into this quest with Why Birds Sing: A Journey into the Mystery of Birdsong. The discovery of life is endless.
