Now this is really cute - people talk about how us civilized humans have lost touch with their instincts, etc. Now it seems homing pigeons are no better (or just as good? depends on your philosophical stance). A 10-year study has found that homing pigeons in Britain are just as likely to use roads and railways to guide them on familiar routes, rather than their "traditional" senses. In the same way we might take longer but more familiar routes, because it requires less thought, so the pigeons are choosing to follow less direct, but mnemonically easier, paths.

And a new study suggests that baby talk is more important than we guessed. The research suggests that baby talk "tunes" the developing brain to notice particular features, such as meter and other poetic patterns. It may also play a role in teaching patterns of emotional intimacy.