Many species of birds travel thousands of miles from their breeding grounds to their winter quarters, to return again the following spring. How do they find their way? How is it that young and inexperienced birds are able to travel independently of their parents and still reach their destination? The first edition of Dr Matthews' monograph, Bird Navigation, published in 1955, summarised the experimental work which had been done up until that time and this second edition has built upon that important contribution, with extensive changes.
Several developments are described in Bird Navigation, namely, the discovery that birds can orientate with reference to star patterns, the use of radar to follow migration by night as well as by day, and the attachment of miniature radio-transmitters to birds so that their individual flights can be followed. A new class of unexplained 'nonsense' orientation is also brought to light.
Preface to the second edition
Preface to the first edition
1. Field observations of migration
2. Experimental evidence for bearing-and-distance navigation
3. The physical bases of diurnal one-direction navigation
4. The physical bases of nocturnal on-direction navigation
5. Homing experiments
6. Homing orientation
7. Theories of sensory contact with home and of inertial navigation
8. Theories of navigation by geophysical 'grids'
9. Theories of navigation by astronomical 'grids'
10. Theories of navigation by a 'grid' derived from the sun's coordinates
11. Field tests of theories of navigation by the sun's coordinates
12. The anatomical and physiological limitations of the avian eye
13. Motion, time and memory
Scientific names of species mentioned