Touristy Stuff in the UK

Britain's Tower of London puts its ravens in hiding as fear of bird flue spreads

Oh Please !

The six ravens at the 1,000-year-old fortress were taken inside last week as protection against the bird flu virus spreading across Europe.

The Tower of London, home to ravens for 900 years, does not want to take a risk. According to legend, if the birds desert the fortress, its central White Tower will crumble and the Kingdom of England will fall. King Charles II decreed in the 17th century that there must always be six ravens at the Tower.

British authorities are confident the birds are comfortable in their custom-built indoor aviaries in the medieval Upper Brick Tower. He visits at 5 a.m. daily to give them raw meat, blood-soaked biscuits and an occasional rabbit. Yuk !

When Sara and I were there in July--the ravens bit was so cliche. They clip the wing tendons of these poor birds and make them prisoners of this tourist trap. The ravens hang out looking miserable on this tiny partch of grass opposite the main gift shoppe (notice quaint spelling ) . I got the impression that dieing of Bird Flue might be blessed relief from their pitiful life of school kids chasing them and legions of Japanese & German tourists gawlking at them. Verrrry corny deal it was IMHO.

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