Address for Correspondence: Dr. Shaymaa Hussein, Department of Cytology and Histology, Fac. Vet.Med. Cairo University, Postal code: 12411, Egypt. Tel: 02/01126760046 E-Mail: shaymaahussein77@yahoo.com Introduction: Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is widely spread in Egypt and acts as a reservoir for many diseases. Few study described the anatomical and histological picture of its gastrointestinal tract which plays an important role in its nutrition habits in correlation to transmission of diseases. Materials and Methods: The present work was carried out on ten cattle egrets of different age and sex. After euthanized; five birds were subjected to normal dissection to study their gross anatomy by injection of 10% formalin. The GIT of the other five birds were sampled and directed to the microscopic anatomy (light, electron microscopy and histochemical study). Results: The lining epithelium and glands all over the GIT, except the alveolar cells of the proventriculus, were strong alcian blue and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) positive. The cone shape proventriculus was covered internally with an eosinophilic mucous layer, the C shape gizzard, and spherical pyloric part of the stomach was covered internally with soft gel likeeosinophilic mucous koilin layer and desquamated cells. The U-shape duodenum and the thicker wall jejunum till the Michel’s diverticulum, after this diverticulum ileum starts with straight, short and less numerous intestinal villi. The single left cecum of lymphoid type with nodular lymphoid tissue. Enteroendocrine cells were observed all over the stomach and intestine which demonstrated by Grimelius’ silver method. Methyl green pyronin method used demonstrates Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Conclusion: All micro and microscopic features in the study indicate that the cattle egret is carnivores’ bird.
Binford MS) has necessitated a revaluation of the characters used for identification, both in the field and in the hand. Field guide treatment is often inaccurate and invariably incomplete, especially in regard to birds in gray-brown plumage. The more technical literature not only is widely scattered and poorly digested for use in modern field identifi.cation, but also neglects some of the most important distinguishing characteristics. Confusion on the part of some ornithologists has led to the misidentification of museum specimens, including a supposed Yellow-billed Loon from Colorado (Remsen and Binford MS). The following discussion is based on published literature; specimens in the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (CAS), and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley (MVZ); published and unpublished photographs of living birds; communications with birders; notes in the files of regional editors of American Birds; and our own field experience. Comparisons are confined to the Common Loon (Gavia iraruer), the only species with which confusion is likely. The reader is referred to Figures 1 (adamsii) and 2 (iraruer), which depict some of the distinguishing characteristics discussed below. The timing and sequence of molts and plumages are nearly identical in the two species (Godfrey 1962) and thus are of no use in field separation. Both species are sexually monomorphic except in size.
The Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) is a popular game bird in Arizona and New Mexico, USA, but hunting seasons remain closed in Texas, USA. Estimates of age structure parameters and sex ratios in game birds are essential information for predicting population trajectories and developing sustainable harvest and conservation strategies. Montezuma quail form coveys during the winter as a behavioral strategy for improved survival. In this regard, we harvested 1–4 individuals from 112 Montezuma quail coveys in Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas from 2009 through 2020 to estimate sex and age composition (juvenile vs. adults) of coveys. We also estimated size for all coveys from which we harvested birds. Mean covey size (± standard error) was 9.7 ± 0.7 individuals (range = 6–12), 9.1 ± 0.5 (range = 2–20), and 5.7 ± 0.7 (range = 2–12) for Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, respectively although covey size decreased through the winter. The proportion of females among harvested birds was 0.33 ± 0.11, 0.40 ± 0.04, and 0.36 ± 0.33 for Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, respectively. The proportion of juveniles among harvested birds was 0.83 ± 0.09, 0.71 ± 0.04, and 0.52 ± 0.10 for Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, respectively. Coveys seem to contain more than one family group (paired birds with current progeny). We estimated that at least 6.2 ± 3.0% and 15.4 ± 10.0% of coveys were mixed families for New Mexico and Texas, respectively, as we harvested more than 2 adult males from the same covey. We did not collect same-sex adults from the same covey in Arizona. Our estimates set apart West Texas in lower average covey size and proportion of juveniles from Arizona and New Mexico at the northern edge of the species’ distribution and may reflect a different population dynamic in the region. However, our estimates must be taken with caution as behavioral response differences between sexes and age categories may differ and may not accurately reflect the actual sex, age, and family composition of Montezuma quail coveys. In addition, results may be confounded by variability in environmental factors over our extended sampling period.
