Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds, Volume II focuses on the physiology, sexual characteristics, sensory organs, nervous system, and reproduction of birds. The selection first offers information on the central nervous system and sensory organ of birds, as well as cerebralization and related problems, brain, spinal cord, skin, taste, and olfaction. The book then ponders on equilibration, vision, and hearing of birds. Topics include regulation of somatic musculature, sensory structures and their nerves, retina, color vision, and structure of the ear. The publication examines endocrine glands, thymus, and pineal body and sex and secondary sexual characters, including genetic sex and sex differentiation, adrenal and parathyroid glands, and pituitary or hypophysis. The text also takes a look at energy metabolism, thermoregulation, body temperature, reproduction, breeding seasons and migration, and flight of birds. The selection is a vital source of information for readers interested in the physiology of birds.

ContentsContributors to Volume II Contents of Volume I Chapter XIII. The Central Nervous System I. The Brain II. Spinal Cord III. The Autonomie Nervous System IV. Cerebralization and Related Problems References Chapter XIV. Part I. Sensory Organs : Skin, Taste, and Olfaction I. Skin II. Taste III. Olfaction References Chapter XIV. Part II. Sensory Organs : Equilibration I. General Structure II. Sensory Structures and Their Nerves III. Regulation of Somatic Musculature References Chapter XV. Part I. Sensory Organs: Vision I. Introduction II. The Retina III. Color Vision IV. Nocturnality V. Accommodation VI. Size References Chapter XV. Part II. Sensory Organs: Hearing I. Introduction II. Structure of the Ear III. The Performance of the Bird's Ear IV. Conclusion References Chapter XVI. Endocrine Glands, Thymus, and Pineal Body I. Introduction II. The Pituitary or Hypophysis III. The Thyroid IV. The Adrenal Glands V. The Parathyroid Glands VI. The Thymus and Pineal References Chapter XVII. Sex and Secondary Sexual Characters I. Genetic Sex and Sex Differentiation II. Secondary Sex Characters References Chapter XVIII. Reproduction I. Introduction II. The Anterior Pituitary III. The Testis IV. The Ovary V. Accessory Sexual Organs References Chapter XIX. Energy Metabolism, Thermoregulation, and Body Temperature I. Introduction II. Energy Categories and Calorimetry III. Standard Metabolic Rate and Body Weight IV. Energy Metabolism and Ambient Temperature V. Diurnal Variation in Energy Metabolism VI. Energy Metabolism and Molt VII. Thermoregulation VIII. Body Temperature IX. Temporary Hypothermia References Chapter XX. Flight I. Aerodynamics of Flight II. Gliding Flight III. Flapping Flight IV. Wing Shape V. Stability and Control VI. Theoretical Work References Chapter XXI. Breeding Seasons and Migration I. Introduction II. Internal Regulation of Breeding III. External Regulation of Breeding IV. Discussion References Chapter XXII. Long-Distance Orientation I. Introduction II. Field Experiments Not Directly Concerning the Mechanism of Orientation III. An Established Mechanism of Diurnal Direction Finding: Sun Orientation IV. Homing Orientation V. Nocturnal Orientation VI. Facts of Visible Migration versus Experimental Evidence VII. Birds and Bees References Chapter XXIII. Behavior I. Introduction II. The Analysis of Bird Behavior III. Bird Behavior Illustrated by Functional Groups of Activities References Chapter XXIV. Bird Populations I. Introduction II. The Measurement of Bird Populations III. Longevity, Mortality, and Sex Ratio IV. Rates of Reproduction and Juvenile Mortality V. Changes in Bird Populations VI. The Natural Regulation of Bird Populations VII. The Territorial Behavior of Birds as a Possible Regulating Mechanism References Author IndexSubject Index