The most wonderful time of the year. 一年中最美好的时光.
Parties,feasts,decorations,and prayer. 聚会、宴会、装饰和祈祷.
But give a thought to nature. 但要考虑一下大自然.
Winter is a tough time for animals to make a living. 冬天是动物们谋生的艰难时期.
But many are celebrated in our thoughts over Christmas. 但在圣诞节期间,我们的思想中有许多是值得庆祝的.
And sometimes in our actions. 有时在我们的行动中.
It wouldn't be Christmas without robins ... 没有知更鸟就不会是圣诞节...
donkeys ... 驴子...
and reindeer. 还有驯鹿.
They're every bit as much as part of Christmas 它们就像圣诞节的一部分
as the nativity and the Christmas turkey. 作为圣诞火鸡的圣诞礼物.
Naturally,the origins of Christmas 当然,圣诞节的起源
are rooted in Christian beliefs. 根植于基督教信仰.
To the Spanish,"happy Christmas" becomes "feliz Navidad" 对西班牙人来说,“圣诞快乐”变成了“费利兹·纳维达”
and is celebrated by Catholics with dramatic parades 天主教徒以戏剧性的游行来庆祝
and floats the tell the story of the birth of Christ. 漂浮在水面上,讲述基督诞生的故事.
To many,the religious aspects 对许多人来说,宗教方面
have been somewhat replaced by tradition. 在某种程度上被传统所取代.
But Christmas remains a time of reflecting 但圣诞节仍然是一个反思的时刻
and giving thanks. 感谢你.
Enjoying time with friends and family. 享受与朋友和家人在一起的时光.
Giving gifts as tokens of affection. 送礼以示爱意.
Often around a meal in the shadow of the Christmas tree. 常常围着圣诞树的影子吃饭.
And warmed by a log fire. 被柴火加热.
Christmas is a lot tougher for the animals outside. 圣诞节对外面的动物来说要艰难得多.
Struggling to make it through winter. 挣扎着度过冬天.
They might be out of sight, 他们可能已经看不见了,
but many animals remain in our minds 但许多动物仍留在我们的脑海中
over the festive season. 在节日期间.
Christmas tradition,symbolism and history 圣诞节传统、象征和历史
are full of characters from the natural world. 充满了来自自然界的人物.
Even the original Christmas story 甚至是圣诞故事的原著
features some cherished animal characters. 有一些珍贵的动物特征.
Jesus is heavily pregnant mother,Mary, 耶稣怀孕了,妈妈,玛丽,
was ferried safely on the back of a donkey. 在驴背上安全地被运送.
Some say that it's because it bore Jesus, 有人说是因为它让耶稣厌烦,
either to his birth in Bethlehem 或者他出生在伯利恒
or for carrying Jesus into Jerusalem, 或者把耶稣带进耶路撒冷,
that the donkey became marked permanently 驴子被永久地标记了
with the sign of the cross, 带着十字架的标志,
a cross-shaped marking of dark further across his shoulders. 他肩上的十字形阴影.
It's not a token that's always been of benefit to the donkey 这不是一个对驴子有好处的象征
Clipped and woven into charms, 被剪裁和编织成符咒,
cooked in bread,or mixed into potions 在面包中烹调,或混合成药水
to try and heal everything from tooth ache thick to fitting. 试着治愈一切从牙痛到牙痛.
Children with whooping cough were once passed three times 百日咳患儿曾三次通过
under a donkey to cast out their affliction. 在一头驴子下驱赶他们的苦难.
Sometimes hair was taken from the patient 有时从病人身上取头发
and force fed to the unfortunate donkey 给不幸的驴子喂食
to pass the infection to the animal. 把感染传染给动物.
Donkeys were domesticated over 5,000 years ago 驴是5000多年前驯养的
and are used as working animals all over the world. 在世界各地都被用作工作动物.
There are more than 40 million of them. 其中有4000多万人.
But despite their popularity,their ancestor, 但尽管他们很受欢迎,他们的祖先,
the African wild ass,is close to extinction. 非洲野驴,濒临灭绝.
The ass wasn't the only animal to look over Christ's birth. 驴不是唯一一个观察基督诞生的动物.
Oxen provided a gentle lowing,not the most obvious lullaby. 牛轻轻地哼了一声,不是最明显的摇篮曲.
Cattle were first domesticated 最早是驯养的牛
at least 8,000 years before the birth of Christ. 至少在基督诞生前8000年.
Their ancestors were stocky,powerful wild buffalo 他们的祖先是强壮强壮的野牛
known as aurochs that roamed across Europe, 被称为漫游欧洲的极光,
North Africa,and Asia. 北非和亚洲.
At the time of the first noel, 在第一个诺埃尔的时候,
few modern breeds of cattle existed. 现存的现代牛品种很少.
The animals were bred big and heavy as beasts of burden, 这些动物被养得又大又重,像负重的野兽,
as well as sources of meat and milk. 以及肉类和牛奶的来源.
At that time,they would have been a common sight 在那个时候,他们会是一个共同的景象
on roads and meadows. 在路上和草地上.
Over time,cattle have been selectively bred 随着时间的推移,牛被选择性地饲养
to maximize their desirable traits. 最大限度地发挥他们的理想品质.
Some are heavy and bred for beef, 有些很重,是用来做牛肉的,
while others are better milk producers. 而其他人则是更好的牛奶生产者.
More than 1,000 breeds exist today. 今天有1000多个品种.
Cows have always been important sources of food, 奶牛一直是重要的食物来源,
so much so that,around 9,000 years ago, 以至于,大约9000年前,
they were used as one of the first forms of currency. 它们被用作最早的货币形式之一.
They're as popular as ever, 他们一如既往的受欢迎,
with one and a half billion around today. 今天大约有15亿.
It's fitting that they made their cameo appearance 他们客串出场很合适
in the manger. 在马槽里.
There were other familiar farmyard faces. 还有其他熟悉的农家小院面孔.
Shepherds watching over their flocks 牧羊人看守羊群
were alerted to the birth by an unusually bright star. 被一颗异常明亮的恒星提醒出生.
So perhaps their sheep accompanied them 所以也许他们的羊陪着他们
as they journeyed to visit baby Jesus. 当他们去探望小耶稣的时候.
And the three wise men guided by the star 三位智者被星辰指引
were carried by camels. 是骆驼驮的.
One-humped,or dromedary,camels once roamed North Africa 单峰骆驼或单峰骆驼曾经在北非漫游
and the middle East as wild animals. 把中东当作野生动物.
Around 4,000 years ago,they were domesticated. 大约4000年前,它们被驯化了.
And by the time Jesus was born, 当耶稣出生的时候,
their wild ancestors were pretty much extinct. 他们的野生祖先几乎灭绝了.
Today,all dromedaries are considered domestic. 今天,所有的单峰驼都被认为是国内的.
Although,some live in the wild as feral populations. 尽管如此,有些人还是以野生动物的形式生活.
The biggest of which is a long way from home, 最大的是离家很远,
in the hot,barren Australian outback. 在炎热贫瘠的澳大利亚内陆.
In the mid-1800s,camels,along with their Arabic handlers, 19世纪中期,骆驼和它们的阿拉伯驯兽师,
were brought to Australia to open up its fierce interior. 被带到澳大利亚是为了打开它凶猛的内部.
Carrying people and goods 运送人员和货物
and providing the supplies needed for construction. 提供施工所需的物资.
Once the outback was opened up 一旦内陆开放
through the construction of roads 通过修路
and a network of infrastructure, 基础设施网络,
the camels were replaced by cars 骆驼被汽车取代了
and turfed out into the desert. 把草皮铺到沙漠里.
They thrive in the outback. 他们在内地茁壮成长.
Their population boomed in the early 2000s, 他们的人口在21世纪初激增,
at around one million. 大约一百万.
By this time,they were seen to be having 这时,人们看到他们正在
a detrimental effect on the fragile desert 对脆弱沙漠的不利影响
to which they didn't belong, 他们不属于的,
and their overgrazing was threatening native wildlife, 他们的过度放牧威胁着当地的野生动物,
like the iconic red kangaroo. 就像标志性的红袋鼠.
So the Australian government began a series 于是澳大利亚政府开始了一系列
of culling programs to greatly reduce their numbers. 挑选程序来大大减少它们的数量.
Today,camels have a varied relationship with people, 今天,骆驼与人的关系多种多样,
but are nonetheless cherished in tradition. 但在传统中仍然受到珍视.
Thanks to their stamina,heat tolerance, 多亏了它们的耐力和耐热性,
and ability to go long periods without water, 以及长期不喝水的能力,
the ships of the desert were vital forms of transportation 沙漠中的船只是重要的交通工具
in the middle East and the ideal mode of travel, 在中东和理想的旅行方式,
for wise men of the time. 为了当时的智者.
Not all festive visitors 不是所有过节的游客
were as impressive or harmless looking. 看上去无害的.
Long before the Christmas holiday was established, 早在圣诞节之前,
the yule was celebrated across Northern Europe, 整个北欧都在庆祝圣诞,
a pagan festival demote the solstice 异教徒的节日使夏至降格
and the start of winter. 冬天的开始.
Part of the ritual was to bring evergreens into the house 仪式的一部分是把常青树带进房子
and decorate them,adding color to winter, 装饰它们,为冬天增添色彩,
when most plants had died back or lost their leaves; 当大多数植物都枯死或失去叶子时；
the ancient origins of the Christmas tree 圣诞树的古老起源
In Viking lore,amid the traditions 在维京传说中,在传统中
of ancient northern Germany and Scandinavia, 古代德国北部和斯堪的纳维亚半岛,
a mysterious figure would visit towns, 一个神秘人物会造访城镇,
dressed in a long blue cloak 穿着蓝色长斗篷
and riding an eight-legged horse. 骑着一匹八条腿的马.
Though he might sound like the stuff of nightmares, 虽然听起来像是噩梦,
this character is the Germanic god Odin in disguise. 这个角色是日耳曼神奥丁的伪装.
He would leave food parcels for those in need. 他会把食物包留给有需要的人.
Over time,the arrival of this gift-bearing rider 久而久之,这个带着礼物的骑士的到来
would be anticipated by children. 会被孩子们预料到.
They'd fill their boots with straw and carrots 他们会用稻草和胡萝卜填满靴子
as gifts for Odin's horse and eagerly await a visit. 作为礼物送给奥丁的马,急切地等待着他的到来.
Sound familiar? 听起来熟悉吗？
Boots have become stockings left by the chimney. 靴子成了烟囱留下的长袜.
And straw might now be mince pies, 稻草现在可能是肉馅派了,
but they are still part of the routine of children 但它们仍然是孩子们日常生活的一部分
on Christmas Eve all over the world, 在全世界的平安夜,
which leads us to one of the most iconic creatures 这让我们找到了最具标志性的生物之一
of Christmas,the reindeer. 圣诞节,驯鹿.
The god Odin,bringing gifts 奥丁神,带来礼物
to those who needed or deserved them, 给那些需要或应得的人,
was modified in the fourth century, 在四世纪被修改过,
associating the story to fit Christian practices 将故事与基督教实践联系起来
and the generous Saint Nicholas. 慷慨的圣尼古拉斯.
Reinvented over and over,he became known as Saint Nick, 一次又一次的改造,他被称为圣尼克,
Santa Claus,and of course,Father Christmas, 圣诞老人,当然还有圣诞老人,
ready to make sure where the children 准备好确认孩子们
have been naughty or nice. 是淘气的还是善良的.
And today,no image of Santa is complete 今天,圣诞老人的形象还不完整
without his reindeer-pulled sleigh. 没有驯鹿也拉着雪橇.
The reindeer is now practically synonymous with Christmas. 驯鹿现在几乎成了圣诞节的代名词.
But bizarrely,it hasn't really earned 但奇怪的是,它并没有真正赢得
that place in tradition. 那是传统的地方.
Since Nick originally arrived on horseback, 因为尼克最初是骑马来的,
or was pulled by a sledge by goats or dogs. 或者被山羊或狗拉着雪橇.
It was only in 1822 that a poem 直到1822年,一首诗
mentioned a team of reindeer for the first time. 第一次提到驯鹿队.
In the 1930s,the image was picked up in a cola advert, 上世纪30年代,这张照片出现在可口可乐的广告中,
but the idea stuck. 但这个想法坚持了下来.
The original concept was based on Sami culture, 最初的概念是基于萨米文化,
The Sami are traditional nomadic reindeer herders 萨米人是传统的游牧驯鹿牧民
from Northern Scandinavia and Russia. 来自斯堪的纳维亚半岛北部和俄罗斯.
For hundreds of years, 几百年来,
they have lived with herds of semi-wild reindeer, 他们和一群半野生驯鹿生活在一起,
moving with them during their migrations 在迁移过程中与它们一起移动
and using them for most of their nutritional material needs. 用它们来满足大部分营养物质的需要.
Harvesting just enough to get the meat,hides 收获刚好够得到肉,皮
and other produce to sustain them. 以及其他的农产品来维持它们.
It's true that they do use reindeer to pull sleighs or ride. 他们确实用驯鹿拉雪橇或骑马.
But there's another twist in their connection to Santa. 但他们和圣诞老人的关系还有另一个转折点.
It's said that the Sami will gather certain types 据说萨米人会收集某些类型的
of poisonous toadstools that have hallucinogenic properties 具有致幻剂性质的毒蕈
and feed it to the reindeer. 喂驯鹿吃.
The digestive system of the deer can remove 鹿的消化系统可以清除
all of the toxins without harming the deer. 所有的毒素都不会伤害鹿.
But the hallucinogens remain intact, 但致幻剂仍然完好无损,
and are passed in the deer's urine. 在鹿的尿液中传递.
By drinking reindeer pee,the Sami can get a high. 通过喝驯鹿尿,萨米人可以得到一个高.
Its effects a similar to LSD, 它的作用类似于迷幻剂,
and stoned Sami apparently imagine their reindeer 用石头砸死萨米人显然想象他们的驯鹿
taking to the skies. 飞向天空.
Perhaps that's how Father Christmas got his lift. 也许这就是圣诞老人升职的原因.
Dasher,Dancer,Prancer and,of course,Rudolph, 达舍,舞者,普兰塞,当然还有鲁道夫,
are often considered male. 通常被认为是男性.
But this might be a misconception. 但这可能是一种误解.
All true male deer grow antlers annually. 所有真正的公鹿每年都长鹿角.
They are the fastest growing bones on the planet 它们是地球上生长最快的骨头
and have one function: to show off. 而且有一个功能：炫耀.
For most of the summer,as they grow, 夏天的大部分时间,随着它们的生长,
they are covered in a furry skin known as velvet, 它们被一种叫做天鹅绒的毛茸茸的皮肤所覆盖,
which supplies blood to the growing tissues. 为生长中的组织提供血液.
Once they reach full size, 一旦它们达到最大尺寸,
the skin will dry out and peel off. 皮肤会变干剥落.
They reach their prime in time for the rut, 他们到了发情的黄金时期,
the annual breeding season. 一年一度的繁殖季节.
Now they are used for posturing. 现在它们是用来摆姿势的.
Big antlers tell the female that a male has done a good job 大鹿角告诉雌性,雄性做得很好
of looking after himself. 照顾他自己.
And stands testimony to his size and strength 证明了他的身材和力量
to try and put off rivals from challenging him. 试图阻止对手挑战他.
Sometimes equally-sized male square off. 有时大小相等的男性会把身体弄成正方形.
A challenge like this can lead to a fight. 像这样的挑战会导致一场战斗.
Each bull tries to entice females 每头公牛都试图引诱雌性
to hang out and meet with him and only him. 去见他,而且只有他.
Which means he must constantly prove his worth 这意味着他必须不断证明自己的价值
and fight to keep competition at bay. 努力阻止竞争.
It's exhausting. 太累了.
By the end of the rut,the males are in bad shape. 到发情期结束时,雄性的身体状况很差.
They haven't been able to properly sleep or feed themselves. 他们无法正常睡眠或进食.
Their bodies are exhausted and war-torn. 他们的身体筋疲力尽,饱受战乱之苦.
Most animals build up their bodies before winter, 大多数动物在冬天前都会长身体,
but the male deer are at their lowest. 但是雄鹿的体温最低.
To stand a chance of finding the energy 有机会找到能量
to get them through winter,they must lighten their load. 为了让他们过冬,他们必须减轻负担.
And so,at the start of winter,they shed their antlers. 所以,在冬天开始的时候,它们会脱掉鹿角.
Female reindeer are unique. 雌性驯鹿是独一无二的.
They are the only kind of female deer to grow antlers, 它们是唯一长鹿角的雌鹿,
and they keep them longer than the males. 而且它们比雄性长.
Both to help them clear snow to look for food ... 都是为了帮助他们清除积雪寻找食物...
and to protect their newborn carves in spring. 在春天保护它们新生的雕刻.
Though the females break away from the herd to give birth, 虽然母羊从群中挣脱出来生孩子,
the calves instincts tell it almost immediately 小牛犊的本能几乎立刻就告诉我们了
that it must get to its feet. 它必须站起来.
While it discovers its limbs 当它发现自己的四肢
and the confusing force of gravity, 以及令人困惑的重力,
its mother licks it's fur clean. 它的妈妈把它的毛舔干净.
Getting rid of any signs of the birth 消除任何出生的迹象
will remove the scent that might attract predators 会去除可能吸引捕食者的气味
and let the baby's for dry out to keep it warm. 让宝宝的衣服晾干以保持温暖.
It's also during this time that mother and calf 也是在这段时间,妈妈和小牛
get to know each other's scent and sound. 了解彼此的气味和声音.
This will be vital when they rejoin the herd, 当他们重新加入牛群时这将是至关重要的,
which is exactly what they do 他们就是这么做的
as soon as the calf's legs are strong enough 只要小牛的腿够强壮
to keep up with the others. 跟上其他人.
It's only after that, 只有在那之后,
when they have safety in numbers from the herd, 当他们从牛群中获得安全的数量时,
that the females drop their antlers. 雌性会掉下鹿角.
So the only reindeer to have antlers at Christmas 所以圣诞节唯一有鹿角的驯鹿
are the girls. 是女孩们.
And what about Rudolph's red nose? 鲁道夫的红鼻子呢？
Apparently,it's a possibility. 显然,这是有可能的.
Scientists have found that some reindeer 科学家发现一些驯鹿
really do have red noses. 真的有红鼻子.
It's due to an abundance of blood vessels 这是因为血管丰富
close to the surface of its skin. 靠近皮肤表面.
25% more than in a human nose. 比人的鼻子多25%.
They can help the deer cool off during times 它们可以帮助鹿在寒冷的时候降温
of strenuous activity,such as pulling a sleigh. 指剧烈的活动,如拉雪橇.
The high blood flow in the head also help to regulate 头部的高血流量也有助于调节血压
the temperature of the animal's brain 动物大脑的温度
to keep its performance at its best 保持最佳性能
during times of fluctuation in the weather. 在天气波动的时候.
In a land of snow and ice,reindeer rule, 在冰雪之地,驯鹿统治,
ideal for helping out at Christmas. 非常适合在圣诞节帮忙.
The reindeer aren't always the chosen few. 驯鹿并不总是被选中的少数.
In some stories,the reindeer failed in their task 在某些故事中,驯鹿的任务失败了
and had been replaced with a talking moose. 取而代之的是一只会说话的驼鹿.
At nearly two meters at the shoulder, 肩宽近两米,
this biggest of deer towers over the reindeer. 这头最大的鹿高耸于驯鹿之上.
With the muscle to pull a cart, 有力气拉车,
it could be a great contender for lugging parcels. 它可能是一个伟大的竞争者,为拖着包裹.
While in Australia, 在澳大利亚的时候,
Santa's sleigh is allegedly pulled by kangaroos. 据说圣诞老人的雪橇是袋鼠拉的.
It seems the Christmas hero is adaptable, 看来圣诞英雄很有适应能力,
making changes to suit the local climate 改变以适应当地气候
In a famous song,the sled team are known as boomers, 在一首著名的歌曲中,雪橇队被称为婴儿潮一代,
Australian slang for huge male red kangaroos. 澳大利亚俚语,意为巨大的雄性红袋鼠.
These whoppers can stand two meters tall. 这些大家伙能站两米高.
Thanks to giant tendons, 多亏了巨大的肌腱,
they have an energy-efficient stride 他们有一个节能的步伐
each hop carrying them nine meters. 每跳9米.
They barely burn calories,even at 60 kilometers per hour. 即使以每小时60公里的速度,它们也几乎不燃烧卡路里.
That's one efficient parcel delivery service. 这是一个高效的包裹递送服务.
Christmas songs and poems have done a lot 圣诞歌曲和诗歌做了很多
to cement wildlife into the Christmas tradition. 把野生动物融入圣诞传统.
When it was the night before Christmas, 圣诞节前一晚,
all through the house,no creature was stirring. 整个屋子里,没有任何生物在动.
Not even a mouse. 连一只老鼠都没有.
Allegedly. 据称.
Perhaps the mouse didn't get the memo. 也许老鼠没有收到备忘录.
Pretty much anywhere that humans live,rodents do too. 几乎在人类生活的任何地方,啮齿动物也是如此.
They're never far away. 他们从不远离.
But do they ever get to see Santa? 但是他们有机会见到圣诞老人吗？
Many rodents do little more than stir during winter. 许多啮齿动物在冬天只会搅动.
The dormouse hibernates,slowing its heart rate 睡鼠冬眠,减慢心率
and other bodily functions, 以及其他身体机能,
so it can spend the winter in a dormant state. 所以它可以在休眠状态下过冬.
It means you can sit out the hard times 这意味着你可以坐视困难时期
when it might be difficult to find food. 当很难找到食物的时候.
But ironically,the same is not true of the mouse 但讽刺的是,老鼠却不是这样
that's not supposed to be staring in the house. 那不应该在屋子里盯着看.
Most of the species that have learned to live with us, 大多数已经学会和我们一起生活的物种,
like the house mouse,stay active throughout winter. 像家鼠一样,整个冬天都保持活跃.
In fact,during winter,it's even busier than normal, 事实上,冬天比平时还要忙,
trying to find food. 试图找到食物.
As a largely nocturnal species, 作为一种主要在夜间活动的物种,
it's very likely to be active 它很可能是活跃的
around the time of a visit from Saint Nick. 在圣尼克来访的时候.
And more than happy to clean up any spills 很乐意清理所有的泄漏
from the Christmas festivities. 从圣诞庆典上.
And there's another Christmas visitor,the red,red Robin, 还有另一个圣诞客人,红红知更鸟,
who comes bob,bob,bobbing along. 谁来了,鲍勃,鲍勃,蹦蹦跳跳地走着.
In the UK,the Robin is one of the most common images 在英国,知更鸟是最常见的形象之一
to see on Christmas cards. 在圣诞贺卡上看到.
Though,how it became so associated with the season 但是,它是如何与这个季节联系在一起的呢
isn't well known. 并不广为人知.
It's perhaps because Robin numbers swell in the winter, 也许是因为冬天知更鸟的数量在膨胀,
leaving frozen wilderness and sheltering in gardens, 离开冰冻的荒野,躲在花园里,
where people often leave food. 人们经常在那里留下食物.
When meals are scarce,the birds are especially bold, 当食物稀少时,鸟儿特别大胆,
coming close to humans, 接近人类,
reason enough to embrace their image, 有足够的理由接受他们的形象,
But other birds joined them. 但是其他的鸟也加入了.
Why is it just the robin that's stolen our hearts? 为什么只有知更鸟偷走了我们的心？
in Victorian Britain,postman had the nickname robins, 在维多利亚时代的英国,邮差有个绰号叫罗宾斯,
because of their smart red uniforms. 因为他们漂亮的红色制服.
And no one looks forward to a visit from the postman 没人期待邮递员的来访
more than at Christmas time. 比圣诞节的时候还多.
There's a little religious legend,too, 还有一点宗教传说,
that a robin pulled a thorn 一只知更鸟拔了根刺
from Christ's crown on the cross, 从十字架上基督的王冠上,
and it was the blood of Jesus that stained his chest. 是耶稣的血玷污了他的胸膛.
For whatever reason,this cocky,colorful garden bird 不管是什么原因,这只骄傲的,五颜六色的花园鸟
is dear to our hearts. 我们的心是亲爱的.
In mythology,It's sometimes linked 在神话中,它有时是联系在一起的
to another tiny garden bird. 另一只花园里的小鸟.
The robin and wren,God's cock and hen. 知更鸟和鹪鹩,上帝的公鸡和母鸡.
Wrens have a long history in beliefs. 鹪鹩的信仰历史悠久.
To the druids,they are birds of prophecy 对德鲁伊来说,他们是预言之鸟
and protected by superstition. 受迷信的保护.
In ancient Greek mythology, 在古希腊神话中,
the wren was the king of birds, 鹪鹩是鸟类之王,
and killing one in December marked the end of one season 12月杀了一个标志着一个赛季的结束
And the beginning of the next. 下一个的开始.
This ritual was imported to Britain during the Bronze Age 这个仪式在青铜时代传入英国
and became a rather brutal practice in Britain, 在英国变成了一种相当残忍的行为,
Ireland and other areas of Europe. 爱尔兰和欧洲其他地区.
Boxing Day,the 26th of December, 节礼日,12月26日,
was a traditional wren hunt. 是传统的鹪鹩狩猎.
Kids would act as beaters, 孩子们会充当打手,
using sticks to flush the wrens from hedgerows 用棍子把鹪鹩从树篱里赶出来
so they could be hunted. 所以他们可能会被猎杀.
The dead bird would be paraded around town 死鸟会在城里游行
with a feather plucked and given to each household 把一根羽毛摘下来送给每家每户
as protection against witches. 作为对女巫的保护.
Fortunately,today,they're being trapped for science. 幸运的是,今天,他们被困在科学研究中.
Once they have been measured and tagged, 一旦它们被测量和标记,
these birds will be released. 这些鸟将被释放.
In the past,winter birds had a hard time 在过去,冬季鸟类的生活很艰难
Today,there are other ways for us to enjoy them. 今天,我们还有其他的方式来享受它们.
Many kinds of birds are remembered in folklore and rhyme. 许多种类的鸟在民间传说和韵文中被记住.
Like a partridge in a pantry, 就像储藏室里的鹧鸪,
an odd concept,as partridges are ground birds ... 一个奇怪的概念,因为鹧鸪是地面鸟类...
and hardy,often huddling together 而且坚强,经常挤在一起
to survive the winter snow 为了熬过冬天的雪
Christmas mass in Spanish countries 西班牙国家的圣诞弥撒
is called. 被称为.
Or rooster mass,because the cockerel got up extra early 或者公鸡群,因为公鸡起得特别早
to proclaim Christ's birth. 宣告基督的诞生.
Other birds have a dubious honor 其他鸟类也有可疑的荣誉
of being central to a Christmas feast. 成为圣诞大餐的中心.
In many parts of Europe, 在欧洲许多地方,
a goose,or even swan,was the dinner guest. 一只鹅,甚至天鹅,是晚餐的客人.
Perhaps because these birds migrated south from the Arctic 也许是因为这些鸟从北极向南迁徙
and are abundant in winter. 冬天和冬天都很丰盛.
But for many of us,they have been replaced ... 但对我们很多人来说,他们已经被取代了...
by turkey. 土耳其.
Turkeys only live wild in the Americas, 火鸡只在美洲野生,
where they have long been 他们一直在那里
the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. 传统的感恩节晚餐.
There's no denying turkeys are impressive birds, 不可否认,火鸡是令人印象深刻的鸟类,
usually weighing more than 30 kilos 通常重30多公斤
and reaching close to 40. 接近40岁.
The daintier females gather in small groups 娇艳的雌性成群地聚集在一起
around the single male that catches their fancy, 围绕着吸引他们的单身男性,
and this male is doing his best to impress them. 这只雄性正在尽力给它们留下深刻印象.
His act is mostly strutting,but with impressive feathers, 他的表演大多是昂首阔步,但有着令人印象深刻的羽毛,
he puts on a good show. 他表演得很好.
His wing feathers are lowered and dragged along the ground 他的翅膀羽毛被放下,沿着地面拖来拖去
and rattled for dramatic effect. 为了戏剧性的效果而摇摇晃晃.
And he surrounds himself 他包围着自己
with a halo of giant tail feathers. 带着巨大尾羽的光环.
Not quite a peacock,but impressive nonetheless. 虽然不是一只孔雀,但给人留下了深刻的印象.
To some,turkeys have a face 对某些人来说,火鸡有脸
that only their mothers could love. 只有他们的母亲才能爱.
In both sexes,the skin of the face is naked, 无论男女,面部皮肤都是裸露的,
but in the males,it's covered in wart-like folds 但在雄性,它覆盖着疣状褶皱
known as caruncles. 被称为肉阜.
The skin flushes reds and blues only when he displays, 只有在他出现的时候皮肤才会泛红和发蓝,
he has a snood,the floppy bit above his bill, 他有一个鼻涕,在他的帐单上面有一个松软的部分,
that is erectile. 那是勃起的.
It can become much bigger and floppier, 它可能会变得更大更脆弱,
the more excited he gets, 他越兴奋,
It was only in the 16th century 那是在16世纪
that these impressive game birds were imported to Europe. 这些令人印象深刻的猎鸟是进口到欧洲的.
Today,they are farmed around the world, 如今,它们在世界各地种植,
with an incredible six million eaten every year. 每年吃掉六百万.
Before birds hit the tables of ancient Europe, 在鸟类登上远古欧洲的餐桌之前,
the head of a wild boar was served for the feast. 宴会上招待了一头野猪的头.
In mythology,the boar was an icon of war, 在神话中,野猪是战争的象征,
a transport to the gods,a symbol of fertility, 通往众神的交通工具,生育的象征,
the ultimate sacrifice to offer up at a yuletide feet. 在圣诞节的时候献上的最后的祭品.
It's not surprising that boars held such esteem. 野猪如此受人尊敬也就不足为奇了.
The powerful wild pigs have lethal,dagger-like tasks, 强大的野猪有致命的匕首般的任务,
a shield of thick skin,and the big males, 厚皮盾牌,大个子的雄性,
much larger than the females,can weigh as much as a tiger. 比雌性大得多,可以和老虎一样重.
A long-forgotten Christmas hero. 被遗忘已久的圣诞英雄.
One of the earliest known Christmas carols,from the 1500s, 已知最早的圣诞颂歌之一,从16世纪开始,
is the song of the wild boar's head. 是野猪头的歌.
Around the world,many animals 在世界各地,许多动物
have the unfortunate distinction of being singled out 有被挑出来的不幸的区别
for a Christmas meal. 一顿圣诞大餐.
It might be eels in Sicily. 可能是西西里岛的鳗鱼.
Carp in Austria or Czechoslovakia. 产于奥地利或捷克斯洛伐克的鲤鱼.
Here,they,were even kept in the bath as a pet 在这里,它们甚至被当作宠物养在浴缸里
on the lead up to the feast. 在准备宴会的时候.
It might be venison on the table in Germany. 在德国,桌上的可能是鹿肉.
But,fortunately,not all animals associated with Christmas 但幸运的是,并不是所有与圣诞节有关的动物
end up on our plates. 最后我们的盘子里.
When we think of animals in winter, 当我们想到冬天的动物,
we think of them in the snow. 我们在雪地里想起他们.
And nowhere has the seasonal charm of the Arctic ... 任何地方都没有北极的季节魅力...
bathed by the magical glow of the Northern Lights. 沐浴在神奇的北极光中.
It's hardly surprising the wildlife here 这里的野生动物并不奇怪
has stolen our hearts. 偷走了我们的心.
It looks about as cute and cuddly as it gets. 它看起来很可爱很可爱.
Though of course,behind the fluffy coats and doe eyes, 当然,在毛茸茸的外套和母鹿的眼睛后面,
are adaptations for survival 是为了生存而适应的
in this most hostile of landscapes. 在这片充满敌意的土地上.
In the Arctic,seals like this ringed seal 在北极,像这种环海豹的海豹
give birth in the bleakest months of winter. 在冬天最凄凉的月份生产.
During the summer,this is all open ocean. 夏天,这里都是开阔的海洋.
But once the sea ice is formed, 但一旦海冰形成,
the mother seal uses her claws and teeth 母海豹用爪子和牙齿
to carve a nesting chamber into the ice, 在冰上刻一个巢室,
where she can safely give birth. 在那里她可以安全生产.
For the first four to six weeks, 头4到6周,
her pup's cloaked in a luxurious white fur. 她的小狗披着奢华的白色皮毛.
It keeps him warm against the eyes. 它使他眼睛暖和.
Mum spends most of her time in the water, 妈妈大部分时间都在水里,
looking for food beneath the ice. 在冰下寻找食物.
The den keeps her little one out of the sight 这个巢穴让她的小家伙看不见
of prying,predatory eyes. 窥探的,掠夺性的眼睛.
With the danger past,the pup ventures outside. 危险过去了,小狗冒险出去了.
And mum hauls out. 妈妈拖了出来.
It's time for the pump to feed. 到了水泵进水的时候了.
The mother will provide fatty milk for about 40 days. 母亲将提供大约40天的脂肪乳.
By the end of that time, 到那时为止,
the pup will be four or five times heavier 小狗会重四到五倍
It takes its toll. 它付出了代价.
Despite her regular fishing trips, 尽管她经常去钓鱼,
the mother will lose more than a kilo a day. 母亲一天要瘦一公斤多.
Still,the elements are harsh here, 不过,这里的环境很恶劣,
and the pup must bulk up. 小狗一定要长大.
It's not surprising seal pups adorn Christmas cards. 海豹幼崽装饰圣诞卡也就不足为奇了.
Their appearance is nothing short of adorable. 他们的外表简直可爱极了.
But they're cuddly,tubby appearance is not for cuteness, 但他们很可爱,胖乎乎的外表并不代表可爱,
but an essential protection against the cold. 但这是御寒的基本措施.
The big,beautiful eyes that steal our hearts 一双美丽的大眼睛偷走了我们的心
are actually to help it see underwater 实际上是帮助它看到水下
once it's old enough to dive for fish. 一旦它长大可以潜水捕鱼.
Something that will take a bit of getting used to. 一些需要一点时间才能习惯的事情.
And the gorgeous fur is a vital windshield 华丽的皮毛是一块至关重要的挡风玻璃
for the little pup. 为了那只小狗.
And white to help camouflage it from predators. 白色来帮助伪装它免受捕食者的攻击.
After six weeks,the pup would molt its magical white coat. 六周后,小狗会蜕皮它神奇的白色皮毛.
Arctic seals are not the only polar animals 北极海豹不是唯一的极地动物
to dress up for Christmas. 为圣诞节盛装打扮.
Arctic foxes are gray in the summer 北极狐在夏天是灰色的
to blend into the rocky tundra, 融入岩石冻土带,
but their winter molt brings lavish white fur. 但它们的冬季蜕皮带来了奢华的白色皮毛.
Again,it adds to their seasonal appeal for us, 再一次,这增加了它们对我们的季节性吸引力,
but it's functional for them. 但这对他们来说是有用的.
It's longer and thicker to keep them warm 它又长又厚以保暖
and white for camouflage. 白色作为伪装.
Helping them to sneak up on prey. 帮助他们偷袭猎物.
Though perhaps our favorite for cards and Christmas jumpers, 也许我们最喜欢的是贺卡和圣诞礼物,
the king of the ice is white year round. 冰雪之王终年洁白.
Christmas is a busy time for polar bears. 圣诞节对北极熊来说是一个繁忙的时期.
Most bear species living in cold climates 大多数熊生活在寒冷的气候中
enter a sleepy torpor,like hibernation,for the winter. 进入一个像冬眠一样的昏昏欲睡的冬眠期.
Male polar bears face winter storms head on. 雄性北极熊正面临冬季风暴.
For parts of the summer, 夏天的一些时候,
the bears were landlocked,with little to eat. 熊是内陆动物,几乎没有东西吃.
But as the sea ice forms, 但随着海冰的形成,
they can expand their range and hunt seals from the ice. 它们可以扩大射程,从冰上捕猎海豹.
During winter,they live in a bitterly cold,dark world, 冬天,他们生活在寒冷黑暗的世界里,
too bleak for most other animals to survive. 对大多数其他动物来说太过荒凉而无法生存.
But the female polar bears do something quite different. 但是雌性北极熊做了一些完全不同的事情.
As winter approached,she dug a den. 冬天快到了,她挖了个窝.
She doesn't fully hibernate, 她没有完全冬眠,
but slows her heart rate down to a sleepy torpor. 但她心跳减慢到昏昏欲睡.
And at around Christmas time,she gives birth. 在圣诞节前后,她生了孩子.
For several months,the mother performs an amazing feat. 几个月来,母亲表演了一个惊人的壮举.
She rests,conserving energy. 她休息,保存能量.
She doesn't feed herself at all, 她根本不给自己吃东西,
but for several months produces a fat-rich milk 但几个月后,牛奶中的脂肪含量很高
for the growing cubs. 为了成长中的幼崽.
She might go for as long as eight months without food. 她可能长达八个月没有食物.
But eventually,in March or April, 但最终,在3月或4月,
she'll dig her family out. 她会把她的家人挖出来的.
Her cubs can explore their winter wonderland, 她的幼崽可以探索他们的冬季仙境,
and she can begin her search for food. 她可以开始寻找食物了.
Her beautiful babies will stay with her for several years, 她美丽的孩子会陪伴她好几年,
learning to master their life on the ice. 学会在冰上掌握生活.
We enjoy images of the beautiful creatures 我们喜欢美丽生物的形象
of cold places during our festivities. 在我们的庆祝活动中在寒冷的地方.
And perhaps now they need to be in our thoughts 也许现在他们需要出现在我们的脑海里
more than ever,as the snow is literally melting 比以往任何时候都要多,因为雪正在融化
beneath their feet. 在他们脚下.
Climate change is melting the sea ice 气候变化正在融化海冰
and changing their world forever. 永远改变他们的世界.
If we're not careful, 如果我们不小心,
the iconic images of winter that we so enjoy 我们非常喜欢的冬天的标志性画面
will become Christmas legends 将成为圣诞节的传奇
like the nativity and Saint Nick. 像耶稣诞生和圣尼克.
Winter is a tough time for all wildlife. 冬天对所有的野生动物来说都是艰难的时期.
Many of us put out food for the animals in winter. 我们许多人在冬天为动物们提供食物.
In Scandinavian countries, 在斯堪的纳维亚国家,
feeding animals is even a part of the Christmas tradition. 喂养动物甚至是圣诞节传统的一部分.
They adorn trees with edible decorations 他们用可食用的装饰品装饰树木
that animals can eat, 动物可以吃,
And in Japan,people offer gifts to the endangered cranes 在日本,人们给濒临灭绝的鹤送礼物
to help them endure the winter. 帮助他们过冬.
Giving them a gift is a great way to enjoy 给他们一个礼物是一个很好的享受方式
and help wildlife through winter. 帮助野生动物过冬.
And it's not the only gift we can give. 这不是我们唯一能送的礼物.
By limiting our impact on the environment, 通过限制我们对环境的影响,
we can give them a better future. 我们可以给他们一个更好的未来.
Keeping wildlife in our thoughts over winter is important. 让野生动物在我们的思想中度过冬天是很重要的.
It wouldn't be Christmas without them. 没有他们就不会是圣诞节.