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Im Not A Dodo

Christian Williams Mon-Wed 4:30-5:45 March 16, 2009 I’M NOT A DODO The Dodo’s evolution from bird capable of flight to a flightless bird is because, the Dodo with no predators to deal with and an abundance of food began to put on weight and over the yearsthey began to gain weight. Overtime they lost their ability to fly, which would prevent them from fleeing from predators if they were attacked. The Dodo was claimed to have a “gentle spirit”(driven). Without the ability to fly and its friendly instinct this would leave the Dodo bird vulnerable to predators. The Native Americans were also alone on their land away from other human contact. The Native Americans got along with each otherfine while living on the land. Since they were at a peacetime with each other they had no reason to develop weapons for war. Not knowing any better the Native Americans greeted Christopher Columbus and his crew with kindness. This would leave them vulnerable to attack in the event where they would have to fight. When Columbus landed on North America he thought he was in India. So when he met the Native people he dubbed them Indians. Native Americans still to this day are calledIndians by many. When Columbus landed the Natives greeted him kindly and also traded with him. They gave him spears, parrots, cotton threads, and many other things only in return to receive small glass beads from Columbus. The Native Americans even showed them how to harvest the land. The Native Americans were very friendly to Columbus and the Europeans but didn’t know they wouldn’t receive the same treatment in return in the near future. When the Portuguese returned to Mauritius they brought along with them dogs, pigsand monkeys. These animals became “feral when introduced to the Mauritius ecosystem”(tradegy). They began attacking the Dodo since it was easy to prey on. They animals also pillaged the Dodo’s nest killing it’s offspring, which helped decrease the population more rapidly. The sailors so easily...