SUGGESTIONS FOR MEASURING EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF BIRDS

It is noted that there are no modern references thoroughly describing methods for mea- suring the external characteristics of birds. Perhaps this explains an all too frequent use of meth- ods that vary from suboptimal to inappropriate. Several common problems are addressed and functional solutions and methods are suggested for measuring external body components and body mass in birds. Some studies from a diverse array of avian investigations are cited to serve as model examples of effectively measuring external characters and of using measurement data. Accepted 18 December 1997.

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