Water-vapor pressure in nests of the San Miguel Island Song Sparrow

The Condor
By: , and 

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Abstract

The water-vapor pressure (PN) in nests of the San Miguel Island race of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia micronyx) averaged 16 torr, but varied considerable between nests and within individual nests during successive days of incubation. Large daily fluctuations occurred throughout the incubation period and did not parallel concurrent changes in ambien vapor pressure (P1). Daily rates of water loss from nest eggs (MH2O) averaged 28 mg day-1, but also varied considerable within and between nests and did not correlate with changes in P1. MH2O increased 6-33% after the third day of incubation. PN was significantly higher and MH2O significantly lower in nests located in sheltered gullies than in nests from a windswept slope. These data suggest that Song Sparrows do not regulate PN to achieve hatching success.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Water-vapor pressure in nests of the San Miguel Island Song Sparrow
Series title The Condor
DOI 10.2307/1368696
Volume 92
Issue 3
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher Cooper Ornithological Club
Publisher location Santa Clara, CA
Description 7 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title The Condor
First page 761
Last page 767
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial San Miguel Island
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