BIRD OBSERVATORIES

An assessment is made of the research being carried out of the British Bird Observatories with suggestions for future work. This is done under three main headings—visual observations, ringing, and critical examination of birds in the hand.     

A SYSTEM FOR DESCRIBING BIRD SONG UNITS

ABSTRACT

Bird song researchers have not agreed on a common set of units of analysis by which birds' songs of various different species might be described. Analysis of 50 papers reveals 28 unit designations and considerable variation in their application despite only three different methods for identifying units. The lack of consensus on units arises from the fact that units generated by the same methods at different levels of organization are given different names. A method for designating bird song units is offered for discussion which uses the concept of level of organization to stress the fundamental unanimity of method. It is hoped that consideration of this method will lead ultimately to greater standardization in the protocols by which researchers generate and name bird song units.     

A LATE MESOZOIC BIRD FROM INNER MONGOLIA

Otogornisgenghisigen.etsp.nov.HolotypePectoralgirdleandwingelements.(IVPPV96O7)HorizonandLocalityYijinhoIuoFormation(EarlyCretaceous);Chaibu-Sumi,otog-qi,Yikezhao-meng,InnerMongolia.DiagnosisAmedium-sizedbird.Longbonesthick-waIled.Acromionofscapulaprotrudingforward.Coracoidwithexpandedheadandbroadp1ate-shapeddistalend.Humerusrelativelystrongandshorterthanradiusandulna,pneumaticfossaabsent,capitalgrooveprominent,deltoidcrestnotdeve1oped,olecrana1fossasha1low,su1cusform.scapu1otricipit…     

CHARACTERIZATION OF A UNIQUE MUSCLE CELL LINE

A clonal cell line derived from a mouse neoplasm is described which shares many properties with smooth muscle. The cells have electrically excitable membranes capable of generating overshooting action potentials, and they contract both spontaneously and with electrical stimulation. They respond to the iontophoretic application of acetylcholine with a depolarizing response, and to norepinephrine with a hyperpolarizing response. Electron microscopy reveals that the cells have a morphology similar in many, but not all, respects to that of smooth muscle cells in vivo. The cells secrete soluble collagen-like molecules in addition to several proteins of undefined function. Finally, there is an increase in the specific activities of creatine phosphokinase and myokinase associated with increased cell density and the cessation of cell division.     

A NEW PALEOCENE BIRD FROM ANHUI, CHINA

redspecimenrepersentsanewgenusandspecies.Wanshuinaliigen.etsp.nov.SpecimenShaftofarighthumerus,andthedistalendofaIefttibiotarsusanda1efttarsometatarsus,Vlo529.DistributionQianshan,AnhuiProvince;Paleocene,DoumuFormation.DiagnosisSizesma1l-medium,humeruss1enderandlong,mediancrestventraleelongated,tibiotarsuscompressedanteroposteriorly,externalcondy1eroundinlateraIview,grooveforperoneusprofundusdeepandlong;internalcondylelongerthanex-ternalcondyle,adepressionwelldeve1opedin1owerborder0finter…