OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF MAINTAINING GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS (LARUS GLAUCESCENS) ON FRESH WATER AND SEA WATER FOR LONG PERIODS

Abstract

SUMMARY Developing marine birds, but not mature ones, when maintained on sea water failed to grow at the same rate as those maintained on fresh water. In both developing and mature birds maintained on sea water the size of the adrenal glands and supraorbital nasal glands showed dramatic increases. The significance of these changes is discussed in relation to both the results of other workers and our recent work on the salt-loaded domestic duck.