430 JOHN B. WATSON 



species. Certain of the birds (Dromaeus and Fulmams) have 

 relatively larger olfactory apparatus than man. There is some 

 evidence (according to his interpretation) in the case of the 

 higher birds that the development of keen vision is being accom- 

 panied by a degeneration of the olfactoiy sense. On pp. 642 

 and 643 one finds a table of comparative measurements of the 

 different parts of the olfactory structure, and on 659 and 661 

 excellent drawings of the olfactory organs and of their external 

 relations to the brain as a whole. 



On the behavior side, Strong presents some results obtained 

 from experiments upon a maze which offered the possibility of 

 association between a given odor and food. The birds never 

 learned to find their food with perfect accuracy during a series 

 of tests given twice daily and extending over a. period of nine 

 months. During this time, however, there was an increase in 

 the number of correct responses to the oil of bergamot. Strong's 

 field observations upon the turkey vulture in Florida were not 

 productive of convincing results. 



No control experiments upon birds with olfactory bulbs 

 removed were made. It seems probable that Strong's tests 

 could have been carried out much more quickly and easily if 

 the two "choice" method instead of the four had been followed. 



EXPERIMENTAL AND OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF INSTINCTS 



Fish. Sumner (27) in a rather loosely articulated paper 

 gives the results of his highly interesting experiments upon 

 the adjustment of the flatfish to its background. Pages 467- 

 471 give a very clear summary. In brief, Sumner finds that 

 flounders become very pale upon white backgrounds and very 

 dark upon black ones. These adaptive changes usually lie 

 within the black-white series. In mixed backgrounds com- 

 posed of sand and gravel the fish respond by assuming definite 

 patterns oftentimes in distinct harmony with those of the back- 

 ground. Backgrounds made up of areas of black and white 

 call forth greater contrasts in the skin patterns than those of 

 sand and gravel. Squares, crossbands. circles, etc., were never 

 copied in any true sense. Adaptation is most complete upon 

 backgrounds forming a part of the natural habitat of the animal, 

 but it is not limited to such conditions. There is a wide range 

 of adaptability. 



