V.—Observations on the Body Temperature of some Diving and Swimming Birds

Abstract

Observations were made on the body temperature of a large number of diving and swimming birds of eighteen different species in the Orkney Islands and Firth of Forth, Scotland, and on and around Cayuga Lake, N.Y., U.S.A., immediately after they were killed by shooting.1. In all the species examined, where the sex was determined, it was found that the rectal temperature of the male was slightly below that of the female.2. Of the orders examined the highest temperatures were found in the Longipennes and the lowest in the Tubinares. When arranged according to body temperature the series does not run parallel with the zoological series.In conclusion, I wish to express my indebtedness to Dr H. D. Reed and Dr A. H. Wright for help in identifying the specimens obtained from Cayuga Lake and the surrounding district.