The Straight Dope 10/01/2004

The Straight Dope -- By Cecil Adams
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THE STRAIGHT DOPE 10/01/2004

Dear Cecil:

What is the deal with cousins marrying each other? In most states it's
against the law. Yet where I am working, in a West African francophone
country, there is a saying, "Cousins are made for cousins." Is this
practice really genetically unsound, or is that just an American old
wives' tale? --Jay Davidson, Peace Corps volunteer, Mauritania

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Cecil replies:

Among the many things Americans just know, without ever having thought
about it, is that if first cousins marry, their children will be
drooling half-wits. The handful who wonder if there's any logic to this
belief probably think: Royal inbreeding. Prince Charles. Case closed.

As recent events have shown, however, a lot of things we Yanks just know
aren't so. The supposed evils of cousin marriage may not be the first
one that comes to mind, but it's definitely on the list. 

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/041001.html

STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC #`1 - 03/22/1985

Dear Cecil:

Judging from the number of pigeons inhabiting the city these days, one
must assume that either they have very long life spans or they have
enormously large numbers of offspring. Yet, although we see our share of
baby robins, baby ducks, baby bunnies, and other infant animals, one
seldom sees a baby pigeon. Do they emerge full grown from their eggs?
Are the squabs simply well hidden, or are they guarded by the parent
birds until they are grown, thus assuring a high survival rate? In
short, where are all the baby pigeons? -- Birdwatching Commuter,
Evanston, Illinois 

Cecil replies: 

I'm mystified by the enduring fascination baby pigeons seem to hold for
the Teeming Millions--over the years I've gotten dozen of letters
inquiring about their whereabouts. My answer is always the same: the
elusive little devils are out there somewhere; you just don't see them
because the nests are well hidden and because Ma and Pa Pigeon generally
stay with the kiddies for their first few weeks of life. This never
seems to satisfy anybody, though, because the letters keep dribbling in.
At last, however, I am able to report an actual sighting of a bonafide baby
pigeon. Read on. 

For more, see: 
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_069b.html

STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC #2 - 08/16/1985

Dear Cecil: 

Please identify and state the purpose, if any, of those white squiggles
attached to chicken egg yolks. I have either read or been told that they
have nothing to do with fertilization. I have been removing them for
years because of their appearance and because they are more offensive
when found cooked and hard in eggs. Are they found in other types of
eggs? Why do some eggs have two? --Myra D., Baltimore  

Dear Myra:  

The primary purpose of the squiggles, which are called chalazae, is to give
the heebie-jeebies to squeamish gentlepersons such as yourself, and
secondarily to keep the yolk from sloshing around inside the egg. 

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_071a.html

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