Publisher's Synopsis
This last volume of Avian Biology brings to a close classic series which has done much to consolidate and promote recent advances in the study of birds.;Three papers summarize, in the tradition of earlier volume,s subjects of central importance in ornithology. Brush looks at that most avian of features, the feather, its structure, growth and evolutionary origin, and focuses particularly on the molecular level of organization. Hartwig discusses the structure and function of the avian brain and spinal cord. Birds and mammals show the highest level of nervous system development in the animal kingdom. Despite their very different evolutionary history, recent research shows remarkable similarities in their CNS structure. Lastly, Wingfield and Farner present a wide ranging review of the endocrine system of birds, particularly by reference to field studies on wild birds and the effects of hormones on general and reproductive behaviour, migration, moult and stress responses.;Three such substantial and fundamental contribution are indeed a fitting close to this series of books.
