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After medium- and long-distance flights and following the first training units of the year, a unilateral injuring of the shoulder joint is observed in racing pigeons. The objective of the study was to discuss the pathogenesis and aetiology of the damage.In 35 pigeons suffering from unilateral wing lameness, the affected shoulder joints were examined microbiologically and histopathologically. Additionally, both shoulder joints of 12 affected pigeons were examined pathologically and histopathologically.Joint capsule, articular cartilage, tendons and bone structures displayed pathological changes.The non-infectious unilateral wing lameness of pigeons appears to be a stress-induced mechanical damage of the shoulder joint. The different structures of the joint are over-extended by the physical/mechanical influences during longer flights.

The rehabilitation and release of injured or ill raptors and owls is widespread. The overall aim of this intervention is the successful reintroduction of the bird into the wild population. Though many injuries are treatable, it is thought that vision-impaired birds have no change of survival and their release is refused. Here we report a case study and give a description of the rehabilitation and subsequent release of an injured Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo). The bird was found with an injured eye and a paralysed wing in the district of Soest, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. While the paralysis healed, the bird stayed blind in one eye. Nevertheless it was released with a radio-transmitter. The female Eagle Owl could be followed by radio-telemetry for more than half a year after release, by visual and acoustic skills for a full year after release. Although the female was only two years old, it paired successful with a partner, and raised a brood with three offspring. No differences in the behaviour compared to non-handicapped birds could be detected. This one-eyed Eagle Owl demonstrates not only survival, but also successful reproduction following reintegration into the wild population. However, low intraspecific competition in the area might have contributed to the reproductive success of the owl.

In four blue-fronted Amazon and five African grey parrots, the nerves innervating the muscles of the wings were carefully dissected and described. The preparation steps were recorded with a digital camera. This technique has now advanced so far that the image quality is almost the same as that of a normal camera. The pictures are stored in a computer. They can be enhanced and published via the Internet.

The pathomorphological study was carried out on a total of 360 broiler chicken which had been random-sampled on days 22 and 35 of the mast period, respectively, from those flocks that were to be compared. Furthermore, 161 animals with evidence of movement disturbance that were slaughtered in the last two mast weeks, were also evaluated. With regard to incidence, severity of movement disturbance and the spectrum of pathomorphological changes of the skeleton there were no differences between the different groups. When histological and morphometrical methods were applied, no differences in the skeleton structure were noted between flocks with conventional housing and flocks with reduced population density. Equally, no differences were ascertained with regard to dry substance and ash content of the bones including the minerals calcium and phosphorus. Furthermore, there were no group differences in serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. In numerous chicken from all groups a plantar pododermatitis with differing incidence and strongly varying intensity was observed. The lesions were characterized by a papillomatous proliferation of the basal epithelial layers. There was widespread inflammation with loss of the epithelial layer and deep necroses of the sole. A latent infection with papilloma viruses is discussed. About 90% of the random-sampled chicken of all groups showed bending of the vertebral column by 20 degrees at the height of the 6th thoracic vertebra. In numerous chicken the 6th thoracic vertebra was dislocated and slightly rotated which caused encroachment of the vertebral canal. Whether this alteration may be responsible for the frequently observed movement disturbance of broilers in the last third of the mast period can not be decided on the basis of the pathomorphological study. In any case it must be assumed that both the pododermatitis and the bending and encroachment of the vertebral column cause pain. Thus, both lesions should be evaluated from the viewpoint of animal protection.

From the viewpoint of the current law on animal welfare, the methods of rendering birds flightless are described and evaluated. Besides the animal welfare, other law statutes are to be paid attention to obligatory when waterfowl is kept on ponds. The raising and fattening of ducks and geese without water to swim on, can also be advocated from the angle of animal welfare.

Based on the statements in part I according to the evolution of the underwater flight, its biophysical consequences and summarizing our knowledge on swimming performances of Penguins, the active and passive apparatus of movement was studied by dissection of 26 individuals of Pygoscelis papua, P. antarctica, P. adeliae, Eudyptes chrysolophus, and Aptenodytes forsteri. Besides the functional explanation of the Articulatio sternocoracoidea (diverging considerably from the usual type in birds), a new interpretation is given for the structures of the Articulatio humeri. In this context, the role of the Ligamentum acrocoracohumerale as an important element for co-ordination of the motion processes in the shoulder joint is elucidated. The essential curvature of the Caput humeri is found to be satisfactorily approximated by a logarithmic spiral. The understanding of the mechanics of bones and tendons leads to a reinterpretation of the role of several groups of muscles which is described in detail. Besides of the preponderant thrust producing (flapping) muscles working mainly in the isotonic manner, muscles can be distinguished which are managing the transfer of the produced forces to the body operating thereby in the isometric way. Another group of muscles has to control the position of the humerus adjusting in this way, the hydrodynamic angle of attack corresponding to the respective flow conditions.

Regarding several theories of the evolution of the Sphenisciformes the specific morpho-physiological alterations for the changeover from aerial to underwater life are discussed. The peculiarities in the Penguin's "construction" become comprehensible as strong adjustments to the subaquatic locomotion. Surely they took their origin from the equipment of flying birds. The present data of the kinematics of the underwater locomotion show, that propulsion is produced in the same principal way by the flapping wings as in aerial flight. Therefore the short term "underwater flight" for the Penguin's style of locomotion is justified. Known data of swimming performance suggest that its essential adaptation is not that to top achievements but more to an economical use of energy budget. The favourable hydrodynamic characteristics of the Penguin body may be well interpreted from this point of view. The peculiarity of underwater flight is the absence of the necessity to produce a weight-compensating force. In order to create thrust forces in an appropriate magnitude during up- and downstroke of the beating cycle the upstroke must be powered. The anatomical architecture and the mode of operation of the parts of the muscle system must be adjusted to this demand. Based on these statements, the anatomy of active and passive apparatus of movement was studied by dissection of 26 individuals of Pygoscelis papua, P. antarctica, P. adeliae, Eudyptes chrysolophus, and Aptenodytes forsteri. Besides the functional explanation of the Articulatio sternocoracoidea (diverging considerably from the usual type in birds), a new interpretation is given for the structures of the Articulatio humeri. In this context, the role of the Ligamentum acrocoracohumerale as an important element for coordination of the motion processes in the shoulder joint is elucidated. The essential curvature of the Caput humeri is found to be satisfactorily approximated by a logarithmic spiral. The understanding of the mechanics of bones and tendons leads to a reinterpretation of the role of several groups of muscles which is described in detail. Besides of the preponderant thrust producing (flapping) muscles working mainly in the isotonic manner, muscles can be distinguished which are managing the transfer of the produced forces to the body operating thereby in the isometric way. Another group of muscles has to control the position of the humerus adjusting in this way the hydrodynamic angle of attack corresponding to the respective flow conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Trimming of the comb, devocalisation, trimming of claws, pinioning and caponisation of birds are procedures, which are often requested or carried out by keepers of animals. Surgery of this kind, however, has far-reaching consequences for the affected animal. A well considered range of indications is a basic requirement for the performing of the mentioned surgical procedures by a veterinarian.

The behaviour of the dragonfly E. fatime was observed in the field in the Near East, in Turkey and on Rhodos in the summers of 1971 and 1973. A short ethogram of the species is given and its behaviour compared with that of other dragonflies. On this basis its phylogenetic position is discussed.