Abstract
DURING July, 1959, several species of marine birds were examined at the San Diego Zoo in California to determine whether they possess a functional lateral nasal gland (salt gland). This study was prompted by the observation that captive gulls may die unless given salt water to drink1 and by the practice of many zoos to incorporate salt tablets in the fish fed their marine birds to assure an adequate salt intake. This practice could be disastrous if the bird receiving the salt did not possess a functional salt gland capable of excreting the excess sodium chloride.
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McFARLAND, L. Captive Marine Birds Possessing a Functional Lateral Nasal Gland (Salt Gland). Nature 184, 2030–2031 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/1842030b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1842030b0
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