Studies of STM properties in animals may help us better understand the nature of our own storage limitations: The case of birdsong acquisition

I like Cowan's review of STM properties and especially his suggestions on t he role of attention. I missed, however, a consideration of studies which p rovide evidence for STM properties in animals. In my commentary, I argue th at such evidence can elucidate the biological basis of storage limitations, validating this view by discussing mechanisms which constrain the acquisit ion of serial information in songbirds.