2006年VOA标准英语-National Zoo Hatches First Kiwi in 30 Year

By Barry Unger
Washington, DC
23 March 2006
 
warch Brown Kiwi report

A very rare event happened at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.  For the first time in 30 years a North Island Brown Kiwi has hatched there.

The National Zoo received a great deal of media attention last year with the birth of the panda cub¹ Tai Shan. But now another species is attracting some notice. A North Island Brown Kiwi hatched last month at the zoo -- the first since 1975.

Kathy Brader holding brown kiwi  
  
Before it hatched, birdkeeper Kathy Brader kept a watchful² eye on its progress. "This darkened area here is actually the chick,” she pointed³ out. “We're a little bit about halfway⁴ through the incubation but everything looks according to plan.

Kiwis have been successfully bred in only four countries outside of their native New Zealand.

 

John Berry   
  
Zoo Director John Berry is thrilled about the newest addition to the zoo family. "You know, we were the first institution outside New Zealand over 30 years ago to have the first kiwi born outside New Zealand and so we are excited to have this event happening here again."

Kiwi's are flightless and nocturnal birds and, if less cuddly⁵ than pandas, no less welcome at the zoo.

1 cub   

n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人

参考例句：

• The lion cub's mother was hunting for what she needs. 这只幼师的母亲正在捕猎。
• The cub licked the milk from its mother's breast. 这头幼兽吸吮着它妈妈的奶水。

2 watchful   

adj.注意的，警惕的

参考例句：

• The children played under the watchful eye of their father.孩子们在父亲的小心照看下玩耍。
• It is important that health organizations remain watchful.卫生组织保持警惕是极为重要的。

3 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

4 halfway   

adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途

参考例句：

• We had got only halfway when it began to get dark.走到半路，天就黑了。
• In study the worst danger is give up halfway.在学习上，最忌讳的是有始无终。

5 cuddly   

adj.抱着很舒服的，可爱的

参考例句：

• The beautiful crib from Mom and Dad is so cuddly.爸爸妈妈送的漂亮婴儿床真舒服。
• You can't call a hedgehog cuddly.你不能说刺猬逗人喜爱。