OLFACTORY SENSITIVITY IN THE BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE AND IN THE PIGEON

1. 1. Changes in respiration frequency were used to evaluate the olfactory sensitivity of the black-billed magpie and the pigeon to ethanethiol, butanethiol, menthol and putrid meat odorants. 2. 2. The threshold concentrations of ethanethiol and butanethiol, but not menthol, were lower in the magpies than in the pigeons. Only the magpies responded to the putrid meat odorant. 3. 3. The greater responsiveness of the magpies to ethanethiol, butanethiol and putrid meat odorants is attributed to the biological relevance which these odors have for them. © 1979.