SPECIMEN LOG: The Glass Tweedler

[knux400]

~~~SPECIMEN LOG~~~
0502 "The Glass Tweedler"
[CW: Reproduction (plantlike/asexual), Death, Pet Death]
Entry 4 - Life and Loss

Day 365: The lab celebrated one year of observation today. Fortune and Lucky were present at our impromptu office party, and responded positively to all the attention. Fortune has taken to perching on some of our staff, so long as they remain still. Amusingly, this always seems to happen when the person in question is in the middle of work.

Day 372: The lab is gradually shifting to long-term study of our two specimens. While we will still make observations of the tweedlers around us, the focus will be on monitoring the aging process of Fortune and Lucky.

Day 421: No significant developments. We have developed a 'lure' for wild tweedlers. Using TCP abilities, we are placing them into a sleeping state long enough to attach trackers to them. This will help us understand their migratory patterns in more detail. So far we have 32 individual tweedlers we are monitoring in addition to Lucky and Fortune.

Day 467: It seems that tweedlers are generally drawn to lush environments with lots of plantlife, presumably to inject shreds into. Their migratory pattern seems to coincide with springtime, where plants will be blooming the most. Of course, if they find an environment with constantly maintained plants such as those in our lab, they will be content to stay in that area.

Month 15: Due to the infrequency of updates, this record will now be recorded in months rather than days. We are continuing to attach trackers to any tweedlers we can catch, but observation of their migratory cycle won't be complete until we've tracked them for a year or more. It's basically a waiting game now.

Month 17: Migratory tracking continues. After some discussion, we've decided to conduct some formal intelligence and reasoning tests on Lucky and Fortune. They seem to be able to distinguish different researchers by their behavior towards them, as well as respond to simple verbal cues with enough practice. Fortune knows its own name and will (usually) come if it is called. We are drafting some simple tests to observe their memory and reasoning skills.

Month 18: The first test has concluded. Over the course of two weeks, Fortune was shown several colored boxes, with a shiny ribbon in the blue one. (Fortune seems to enjoy playing with soft fabrics, similar to the materials it used to build its nest. This usually works as an incentive for good behavior.) Fortune was allowed to play with the ribbon for 15 minutes each day before the ribbon was taken and returned to the blue box. Then the next day, the boxes would be brought out again, with the ribbon in the blue box every time. At first, Fortune would investigate a handful of other boxes before finding the ribbon in the blue one, but by the end of the experiment it would fly immediately to the blue box every time.

Month 19: The above test was modified and conducted on Lucky. Lucky seemed to catch on to the idea that the ribbon was always in the same box much faster than Fortune did. Whether this is due to movement being difficult for Lucky or a variation in intelligence between the two is unclear.

Month 20: The box test was conducted on Fortune again after over a month of inactivity. Fortune was able to locate the ribbon much more quickly this time, suggesting it can at least partially recall the previous tests.

Month 21: A change to Fortune's testing has been implemented. The ribbon is now located in the red box, with the blue box containing a small spray nozzle that gently sprays Fortune with cold water upon entering. The objective is to see how quickly Fortune will adjust when presented with a negative association. Fortune quickly learned to avoid the blue box, and now flies straight for the red one every time.

Month 22: A short maze has been built for Lucky to travel through. A ribbon was given to it for a few moments before a researcher picked it up and allowed Lucky to observe the ribbon being placed at the end of the maze. Over time, Lucky was able to solve the maze more and more quickly, displaying excellent spatial memory.

Month 25: Further testing with boxes and mazes showed both Lucky and Fortune to have exceptional spatial memory, which is to be expected for a migratory species of this nature. The next phase of testing will measure their ability to perform complex tasks.

Month 31: Fortune and Lucky are both able to perform simple 'tricks' when presented with positive reinforcement, including charging a small shred-powered light to make it blink in a certain pattern, and whistling a specific tune on command.

Month 46: Continued testing has shown Fortune and Lucky to be able to perform simple tasks, learn roughly a dozen words, and navigate a familiar environment in the dark. They also continue to form relationships with specific researchers, insisting on playing a different game with each one. They seem to enjoy burrowing into warm places during cold weather, often resting in a researcher's hand or flying into their sleeve. In hotter climates, they will 'bathe' in pools of water, splashing it onto themselves with their wings.

Month 59: The second migration cycle of the observed tweedlers has been completed. They tend to seek out moderate climates with an abundance of plantlife, and will travel south for the winter in order to maintain a desired temperature. Some tweedlers seem to have found permanent places to stay, and have stopped migrating altogether. Given their willingness to interact with people, it can be assumed some of the tweedlers we've been tracking have found homes of their own.

Month 72: Testing of Fortune and Lucky has ceased for now. We have a good picture of the way these creatures think, and any further research would have to be done on a larger sample size, which our small facility cannot accommodate. In addition, Fortune seems less energetic than before, often taking short naps in warm places.

Month 73: Fortune seems to be nearing the end of its natural lifespan. It has slowed considerably, and seems to want to spend its time in calm places rather than play games with any of our researchers. It will often sit on someone's desk as they work, sleeping next to their hand.

Month 74: Fortune is having difficulty flying for more than short bursts. A small enclosure has been built around its nest, complete with a feeder like Lucky has.

Month 75: Fortune is now unable to leave its enclosure unassisted. Lucky is being picked up and taken over for 'visits' every day. Both seem to enjoy these interactions. Fortune is becoming noticeably less vibrant, their crystal beginning to turn grey.

Day 2234: Fortune passed away today. They were found solidified, curled up in their nest. Research was put on hold for the day so that everyone could properly mourn. Everyone was thankful for the time we've been able to spend with this creature. Not only has Fortune contributed to the pursuit of knowledge towards understanding the Glass Tweedlers as a species, but it has also touched the hearts of everyone in the center. From each of us at the Aspersion Center of Environmental and Biological Study, we are thankful for Fortune's contributions.

Day 2236: Fortune's body has been sealed in a transparent resin cube so that it may be viewed from any angle while still being properly protected. Arrangements have been made to donate it to the Aspersion Museum of Scientific Discovery.

Day 2239: The original research team is disbanding to move on to other projects. The lab we've been using for over six years now will be renovated and a new team will be assigned to it. The place was getting a bit beat up anyway. Lucky is still doing well, even with its injured wing. I will be personally adopting it as a pet and keeping it safe in my home for the rest of its natural life. We're still unsure what the natural lifespan of these creatures are, but I feel like Lucky will stay for another year or two. My final report should be arriving shortly.