Notes:
pigeon 鳩;
commonplace ごく普通の，平凡な;
alongside ～のそばに;
feeder エサを与える人;
discriminate […を]区別する;
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If you go to a park for a sandwich in the UK, particularly in London, there is a good chance that you will not be alone – you will probably be followed by a pigeon. According to estimates there are 28 million pigeons in Europe alone. Pigeons are commonplace these days in most capitals. One reason is that it is a safe habitat and there is a constant supply of food, all year-round. Pigeons are aware of this fact and so choose urban environments before rural ones. It seems that they are fast becoming comfortable living alongside humans.　A recent study of pigeons also showed that pigeons select their feeders carefully and can quickly discriminate between a friendly person and a non-pigeon liker. (by Prof. Simon Smith)
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Notes：
odds 見込み，可能性;
nuclear power station 原子力発電所;
generate　～を発生させる、生み出す;
massive 大量の，（程度が）はなはだしい;
casualty（事故・災害などの）死傷者，犠牲者（victim）;
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Japan was in all the headlines in March after the terrible earthquake that caused thousands of deaths in Fukushima. Furthermore as residents of Shimane we all feel worried about living next to a nuclear power station. However the odds of such a disaster happening are extremely low. There is a greater chance of death from crossing the road or driving a car. Also, although earthquakes are common in Japan, they don’t always generate massive casualties. (by Prof. Simon Smith )
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