Current Ornithology

1 Form and Function in Avian Flight.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Flapping Flight Aerodynamics.- 3. Ecology and Wing Morphology in Flying Birds.- 4. Evolutionary Constraints on Flight Adaptation.- References.- 2 Magnetic Orientation in Birds.- 1. The Magnetic Field of the Earth.- 2. The Magnetic Compass of Birds.- 3. Role of the Magnetic Compass in Bird Orientation.- 4. Noncompass Use of the Magnetic Field.- References.- 3 Temporal Patterns of Pair Formation and Reproduction in Annual Cycles and Associated Endocrinology in Waterfowl.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Strategies of Reproduction and Breeding Patterns in Waterfowl.- 3. A Brief Review of Avian Endocrinology.- 4. Summary of the Major Components of the Annual Cycle.- 5. Temporal Patterns of Molt in Waterfowl.- 6. Autumnal Gonadal Recrudescence.- 7. Autumnal Migration.- 8. Winter Period of Initial Pair Formation.- 9. Vernal Premigratory Changes and Early Migration.- 10. Late Spring Migration and Arrival on the Breeding Grounds.- 11. Nesting and Egg Laying.- 12. Incubation and Renesting.- 13. Seasonal Decline and Termination of the Reproductive Phase.- 14. Summary.- References.- 4 Female-Biased Philopatry, Monogamy, and the Timing of Pair Formation in Migratory Waterfowl.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Waterfowl Breeding Systems.- 3. Why Monogamy, Early Pairing, and Female Philopatry?.- 4. The Timing of Pairing in Winter.- 5. Summary.- References.- 5 Colony Formation in Seabirds.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Formation of Colonies on Previously Used Sites.- 3. Formation of New Colonies.- 4. Supplementary Remarks on Colony Structure.- 5. Ecological and Social Factors in Colony Formation.- 6. Concluding Remarks.- References.- 6 Mitochondrial DNA of Birds.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Isolation Procedures.- 3. Methods of Comparison.- 4. Genome Size.- 5. Gene Mapping.- 6. Maternal Phylogenies.- 7. Intraspecific Comparisons.- 8. Interspecific Comparisons.- 9. Rates of Molecular Evolution in Birds.- 10. Hybrid Zones and Gene Flow of mtDNA.- 11.