1
Point count census of Fairview Park to determine effect of human activity on avian population and species diversity.
Human presence and intervention on the environment is probably the most influential presence in the ecosystem today.  Public parks are an attempt to salvage some areas for aesthetic and some limited wildlife preservation purposes.  The goal of this study was to determine the effect of high public use on the presence of avian life in a public park.  A 100 meter census circle in the central region of the park  was compared to a 100 meter census circle in the wooded area to the west of the park.  The central circle encompassed parts of the baseball and soccer fields and thus were deemed "high use" areas.  The wooded area had almost no public use.  16 species were identified in the "low use" area, and 7 in the "high use."  The 7 were all also seen in the "low use" area, and only 4 of those 7 were seen on more than one occasion.  Some avian species are more tolerant of frequent human presence in their habitat than others, but high public use significantly reduced species diversity in Fairview Park.
 

2
Feeding and nesting habits of rural Sherman wild bird populations in a controlled human environment.
In this experiment the different species of birds, feeding habits and nesting locations were determined by observing in late afternoons in rural Sherman, Texas. In the observed birds there was a relationship between the shape of the beak and the type of food eaten. Observations took place between 13:30 and 17:30 CST at 1521 N. Hoard. Fourteen different species were observed during these hours on sixteen different occasions. Visits to an area containing a single birdfeeder standing approximately 1 meter high filled year round with wild bird feed was compared to the amount of visits to a pasture approximately 1750 square meters. Eight or 57% of the bird species only visited the feeder, five or 36% of the birds fed only in the pasture, and 1 bird accounting for 7% of the observed population visited both the pasture and the birdfeeder. Harris' Sparrows and the White-crowned Sparrows were observed nesting in a large brush pile approximately 5 feet high and 10 feet in diameter. Common Grackles were observed nesting in a Bois d'arc tree approximately 15 feet high.
 

3
The effect of testosterone on aggressive behavior in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) chicks.
In vertebrates, aggressive behavior is mediated by androgens, to which anabolic steroids, such as testosterone, are chemically related. To determine if extra doses of testosterone increased aggressive behavior, Japanese Quail chicks were administered SC injections of testosterone or peanut oil (as a vehicle control) at 0.05 mL/10 g for six trials. Tests for aggressive behavior were conducted by pairing 2 peanut oil control, 2 testosterone control, or a peanut oil and a testosterone chick together. Each chick was administered an injection in the breast area and placed in an arena with a chick from a designated group for 20 min. The number of aggressive behaviors was counted and a chi-square test was performed to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Testosterone injected birds on average performed 37.8 aggressive behaviors per trial where as control chicks performed 14.5 (p < 0.001). It was not the different pairings of chicks, but the injections of testosterone themselves, that was the cause of increased aggressive behavior (p > 0.05). The observed behavior of the testosterone injected chicks illustrates that extra doses of testosterone increase aggressive interactions.

4
Esherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis isolated from cloacal swabs of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).
Many bird species are vectors for highly pathogenic, enteric microorganisms such as Yersinia, Vibrio, and Campylobacter species. The hosts can be from virtually any species including penguins, pigeons, parrots, and ducks. To determine the possibility of any gastrointestinal pathogen carriage in Japanese Quail, a commonly human handled bird, cloacal swabs were taken from ten subjects which were then cultured and isolated on brain heart infusion agar. Gram stains were performed and BBL Enterotube II's were used to identify the isolates. The results showed that six of the ten subjects were carriers of Esherichia coli, three were carriers of Proteus mirabilis, and one was a carrier of an unidentified Gram positive species. Although the data do not show the pathogenicity of these three species, it can be seen that the high percentage of enteric microorganism carriage reflects a generous host pool for the isolates and their potential acquisition of the correct virulence factors necessary for causing disease. Thus, with the recent development of antibiotic resistance and new, pathogenic strains of common microorganisms such as E. coli, these data suggest that the necessary precautions should be taken seriously when
handling even the most common birds and disposing their feces.
 

5
Isolation and identification of three types of bacteria in the Rock Dove and their susceptibility to antibiotics.
Birds possess very powerful immune systems making them carriers of a variety of bacteria to which other organisms are susceptible. Because humans are in such close contact with the Rock Dove, or pigeon, I investigated the presence on this bird of three human pathogens, E. coli, S. aureus, and C. jejuni, and their antibiotic susceptibilities using the Kirby-Bauer resistance test. The feet, bill, and droppings of a Rock Dove were swabbed, and the bacteria were isolated on EMB agar (E.coli), MSA agar (S. aureus), and Campylobacter agar (C. jejuni). The E. coli and C. jejuni were found to be present in the droppings of the bird while S. aureus was found on the bill of the Rock Dove. E. coli and C. jejuni are intestinal pathogens, and their presence in the droppings indicates that they may be part of the natural microflora of the bird's digestive tract. S. aureus is commonly found on the surface of organisms, thus its presence on the bill and not in the droppings. The Kirby-Bauer test showed that E. coli was most sensitive to tetracycline while S. aureus and C. jejuni were most sensitive to erythromycin. Tetracycline is the antibiotic of choice in treating birds as evident by the E. coli results. When given in the diet to birds in captivity, natural flora may build a resistance to tetracycline which may explain why erythromycin was more effective S. aureus and C. jejuni. Because the C. jejuni isolation technique uses vancomycin to prevent the growth of other bacteria, C. jejuni built an immunity to it and was, therefore, unaffected by it in the Kirby-Bauer procedure.
 

6
Mockingbirds and their lives of song.
The Northern Mockingbird seems to sing endlessly for 24 hours each day. I investigated the aspects of their song in order to see if mockingbirds vary the song from perch to perch, and if they vary the amount of time spent singing at each perch. The location of 3 male mockingbirds and the individual's perch sites were noted and observed every Thursday from 0730 to 0830 CST, about twenty minutes total for each bird. The number of fragments sang at each perch and the time elapsed while singing were recorded for each bird on every observation day. The total time spent singing by each bird individually was also recorded and compared weekly. Birds 1 and 2 did not show a significant difference (P>0.05) in the number of fragments performed at each perch or in the singing time at each perch. Bird 3 sang a significantly greater number of fragments at his third perch (P<0.05) and sang significantly longer at perch 3 (P<0.05). There was not a significant difference in the total time spent singing, by each bird, from week to week (P>0.05). Despite the significant differences between bird 3 and birds 1 and 2, mockingbirds do not vary the number of fragments, and they tend to spend the same amount of time singing at each perch, as well as week to week.

7
Innate call recognition in Japanese Quail.
Young quail depend on parents and siblings for warmth. When separated, they make contact calls to find others for warmth. I investigated the question of call recognition in young Japanese Quail. I did this by counting the number of contact calls by a young quail to an adult quail recording and to a duck call. The quail were tested at one day and one week old. The results show no significant difference at one day of age (N=9, P=0.093). They do show call discrimination at one week old (N=9. P=0.00). This suggests that Japanese Quail do not discriminate between specific and conspecific calls innately. They seem to call for help. The differentiation between calls must be something that occurs later in development. The conclusion of this experiment might be used to spark other studies involving HVc's of Japanese Quail or determination of selection pressures for precocial nestlings.
 

8
Sound recognition in relation to conditioning in Red-billed Pigeons.
One proposed explanation for bird intelligence is due to instinctive, biological behavior. Because sound is an integral component in bird communication, the learning response to alarm calls versus songs in Red-bellied Pigeons was investigated. To determine if pigeons rely on biological behavior to learn, 3 pigeons (Group 1) were conditioned to an alarm call. Three other pigeons (Group 2) were conditioned to a song in 30 minute trials. Conditioning was achieved when the pigeon was able to receive a food reward in response to discriminating the sounds. To compare the two groups' learning abilities, the number of trials required to learn the sound and the number of feedings in the last trial were recorded. Also, the pigeons' behavior in response to the sound was monitored. There was no significant difference in the number of trials to become conditioned (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in the number of feedings in the last trial (p20.05). In Group 1, it was noted that the birds expressed behavior that suggested a sympathetic response to the alarm call. Furthermore, it is important to note that the pigeons were not exposed to a sound neutral environment during this experiment. The Group 2 had slightly more trials in conditioning (determined to have no significant difference) but had more feedings (determined to have a significant difference). Unlike what the results reflect, it would be expected that Group 1 would have significantly more feedings and fewer trials. Due to the sympathetic response to Group 1 and the lack of a sound neutral environment, this discrepancy can be explained. Therefore, the data can still suggest a possible link between biological behavior and bird intelligence.
 

9
Induction of breeding behavior in mature cockatiels through environmental cues.
Breeding behavior in Australian Cockatiels is tied to many other factors besides photoperiod and time of year. The birds rely upon rainfall, humidity, and temperature as their biggest environmental cues to initiate the mating process. I investigated the effects that an artificially created "breeding" environment would have on both the male and female birds. Both birds were sexed and aged prior to construction of the artificial environment. A breeder box was built of plywood that measured 7 x 12 x 10 in. with a 2.5 in. entrance hole on the front. Cockatiels require an enclosed breeding box and nesting material in order to make their nest. A Holmes humidifier was used to increase the ambient humidity of the room to a level between 75-80%. A Delonghi heater was also used to raise the temperature of the room to 85 F. Four different tapes were played at varying times and for varying lengths inside and outside the room housing the birds. Two of the tapes were sounds of simulated rainfall, and the other two tapes were actual recordings of rain. All of the artificial changes to the prior environment of the birds induced immediate breeding behavior in the female. The environment appeared to make the male uncomfortable and hostile toward the female. No eggs laid ever hatched during the experiment, and the male grew ever more hostile to the female's repeated attempts at copulation. It is possible that the age of the birds was not compatible, or they simply have a dysfunctional relationship regardless of their artificial environment. The data suggest that many other factors play a role in inducing breeding behavior besides environmental cues.

10
Fear-related behavior of Japanese Quail chicks (Coturnix japonica) in response to their natural predators.
Japanese Quail chicks are born precocial, covered with down feathers and capable of flight within 10-15 days. Consequently, it is presumed that an innate fear of predators is present in the new born chicks as a defense mechanism. In order to determine if the quail had an innate fear to their natural predator, the owl, I investigated the tonic immobility (TI) of the chicks. Tonic immobility is a fear related response by Japanese Quail in which a chick will freeze up and not vocalize when scared. Two runs were done in which 6 day old and 11 day chicks were exposed to the characteristically wide set eyes of an owl's face. The 6 day old chicks did not show any TI and the 11 day old chicks showed only a brief 5 second TI period, but not in response to the owl. The fact that neither set of chicks expressed fear towards the owl suggests that after 3,000+ years of domestication the Japanese Quail have lost any innate fear of their natural predator that was ever present.
 

11
Effects of changing shape of surroundings on the behavior of adult and chick Japanese Quail.
Studies have shown that in general room, color, space, orientation, and numerous other factors can affect the behavior of organisms. Such factors can affect how aggressive or how calm an individual is and can influence appetite and other behaviors. I investigated the effects shape of surroundings had on the behavior of Japanese Quail. Seven adults quails and 10 chicks were individually placed into circle and square cages for a period of 5 minutes each. Three specific behaviors--alertness, fear, and overall activity--were observed, and the amount of time spent in each behavior was determined. The general trend was that birds in the circle cage spent most of the time in or close to the center of the cage. And, in the square cage, the birds spent most of the time in the corners. It was also observed that on average, the chicks exhibited fear more than the adults, with fear constituting 50% or more of the chicks' behavior. The adult quail, on the other hand, were more active, with fear constituting the least of their behaviors. However, there was no statistical significance (P > 0.1) in the behavior of the Japanese Quail and the shape of the cage. This experiment shows that shape of surrounding does not elicit particular behaviors but may contribute to how the space available is used.
 

12
Beta-carotene and the development of pigmentation in then embryo of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).
Feather pigmentation in birds is determined by three categories of pigments-- melanins, carotenoids, and porphyrins. Carotenoids produce the yellows, oranges, reds, and some of the blues and greens. The pigmentation in feathers that is caused by carotenoids is mostly derived from the diet but there is some indication that the pigments can be deposited in the neonatal bird. A hypothesis that the hatching color of birds can be altered by the injection of color pigments was formed. To investigate this, an experiment was performed that entailed injecting neonatal Japanese Quail with beta-carotene and then comparing the results to the hatching color of normal neonatal Japanese Quail. The study utilized 10 control neonates injected with peanut oil and 10 experimental neonates which were injected with beta-carotene dissolved in peanut oil. Neither the control nor the experimental neonates survived the injection; all of the eggs suffered from bacterial infection. Results indicate that the vehicle the carotene was dissolved in caused the infection. There were however, additional data from the experimental neonates that suggest the beta-carotene was more instrumental in the demise of the neonates than the vehicle of injection, peanut oil.

13
The effects of cooling time variability on the embryonic development of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).
The development and function of physiological systems during avian embryonic development are greatly effected by physical factors, such as temperature, humidity and temporary cooling time. Previous research has shown that during incubation, a decrease in cooling temperature past the optimum (37.6 C) does not stop embryonic development, but leads to disharmonious growth of organ systems, or malformations. To determine the occurrence of embryo malformations in Japanese Quail due to varying cooling times, 57 eggs were removed from the incubator after two days of incubation and allowed to cool at each of the following times: 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 5 h, 7 h, and 10 h. The eggs were placed back in the incubator and allowed to continue developing until day 9. The eggs cooled for 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h and 7 h resulted in no apparent physical malformations. However, one out of the eight eggs cooled for 5 h resulted in extensive physical deformities, including undeveloped limbs and beak. It is not certain whether these malformations were due to cooling time or congenital defects. All eleven Japanese Quail embryos cooled for a period of ten hours resulted in delayed beak development (1.5 mm); one of these also resulted in decreased body size (2.6 cm). In this experiment, increased cooling time resulted in decreased rate of development, not extensive malformations. These results suggest that a greater increase in cooling time during incubation may directly effect the development of Japanese Quail embryos.
 

14
Common bird species and their response to the playback of recorded predatory species calls.
Many bird species that can be prey to larger avian predators use an alarm call to warn others. The calls of the Red-Shouldered Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, and the Barred Owl were dubbed onto a tape and looped so that the calls of each bird were repeated several times. The experiment took place at Fairview Park and Herman Baker Park usually an hour before dusk between the 9-19 April 1998. Length of each observation period was approximately one hour per day. The calls were played and observations were taken to determine if alarm calls were used or other behaviors were exhibited instead. Alarm calls were difficult to determine, as I had never been familiar with them before. On some occasions, observed species would flock to the location of the calls, or they would act skittish and fly away. There were no set species of birds that were observed, only whatever species that were present at the time of the observations. On many days, results proved inconclusive. It was not until the last portion of the experiment did the observed species exhibit any type of response to the recorded calls.