中英對照讀新聞》Bad Kitty: German town grounds cats to save rare birds 壞貓咪：德國城鎮為救珍稀鳥類讓貓禁

德國西南部瓦爾多夫鎮要求當地家貓8月底前不外出，以免正值繁殖季節的稀有鳥類鳳頭百靈遭捕食。圖為美國白宮年初新成員「威路」（Willow）， 僅供示意，與本報導內容無直接關聯。（法新社檔案照）

◎周虹汶

What a cat-astrophe!

好一場災難！

Authorities in the southwest German town of Walldorf have ordered some cat owners to keep their pets indoors until the end of August, to protect a rare bird during its breeding season.

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為了在繁殖季節保護一種珍稀鳥類，德國西南部瓦爾多夫鎮當局命令部分貓咪的飼主直至八月底讓寵物待在室內。

The decree is designed to help save the crested lark, which makes its nest on the ground and is therefore easy prey for feline hunters. The bird’s population in Western Europe has declined sharply in recent decades.

該法令旨在幫忙拯救鳳頭百靈，牠在地面築巢，因此容易成為貓科獵獸的捕食對象。這種鳥類近幾十年來在西歐數量急劇下降。

Authorities in Walldorf wrote that “among other things the survival of the species depends on every single chick.”

瓦爾多夫當局寫道，「先不提別的，此物種的生存端賴每一隻雛鳥。」

The decree, which applies to all cats in the southern part of the town and will be repeated for the coming three years, has reportedly prompted meows of anguish from pet owners. （AP）

該法令適用於該鎮南部所有貓咪且將在未來三年重複執行，據說搞得寵物飼主喵喵叫苦。

（美聯社）

新聞辭典

ground：名詞，指地面、土壤、土地、立場、觀點、理由；動詞，指擱淺、停飛、禁足；形容詞，指陸棲的、磨碎的。例句：The plane was grounded by bad weather.（那架飛機因惡劣天氣停飛。）

prey：名詞，指被捕食的動物、犧牲品、戰利品、贓物；動詞，指猛獸或猛禽等攫食、劫掠、疾病等使人慢慢衰弱、消耗、折磨。例句：His death preyed on her mind.（他的死讓她很痛苦。）

anguish：名詞，指肉體或精神上的極度痛苦、劇痛、悲痛；動詞，指感到極度痛苦。In his anguish, he forgot to leave a message.（萬分悲痛中，他忘了留訊息。）

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