Today I observed some creatures performing what appeared to be a most peculiar ritual. You could be excused for thinking, at first coming upon the scene, that this was a mass migration. But it soon becomes clear that not all of the creatures are moving in the same direction. In fact there were four distinct flows of the creatures, two each side of a causeway.
Closer observation also revealed that the individuals within the mass each behaved in quite distinct ways, though remaining within the general pattern of behaviours. With so many within confined spaces, it is important that both the competition for space and the need to avoid individuals moving in the opposite direction, led to evasive behaviours. However, some individuals operated in such a manner as to cause real problems for others: stopping suddenly; or, making a rapid change of direction. Nevertheless, the flow was maintained, though to what great effect you might be left to wonder.
The site of these observations of animal behaviour was Oxford Street, London; two days before Christmas.
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