INDEX Tuesday December 7, 2021
Something to crow about?
Most cities just sound like traffic; heavy, remorseless and unpleasant. But a few have their own soundscape.

Venice would be silent if it weren't for the bells, which seem to chime almost all the time.

Istanbul has its own harmonics but would largely be recognised by the Islamic call to prayer.

George Town, capital of the Caymans, is not in the same class, having only a population of about 40,000 but it does have a rather special sound.

It's made by wild chickens, specifically cocks, who in that

Click to see next photo.
Caribbean sort of way don't seem to be too bothered about welcoming the dawn, but crow whenever it takes their fancy.

In common with much of the Caymans, George Town has wild chickens everywhere. It is said that people used to keep them (and probably still do) to produce eggs, but the chickens escape during the frequent tropical storms.

In a land where the leading common(ish) predator is the iguana, they had little to fear. The wild chickens prospered and now live alongside the humans in much the same way that the pigeons do in London.

However, George Town is mostly a ghost town, or it is now. I'm sure most people's first reaction is 'I went to George Town and it was shut'. Visiting it is like coming across a market town on half day closing.

So during the hot daylight hours, the chickens mostly have the place to themselves.
INDEX
Tuesday December 7, 2021 Jonathan Brind