Thoracic and Coracoid Arteries in Two Families of Birds, Columbidae and Hirundinidae

A scientific publication written in the early 1960s. This work primarily focuses on the anatomical and physiological aspects of the thoracic and coracoid arteries found in two families of birds: the Columbidae (pigeons) and the Hirundinidae (swallows). It aims to explore the individual variability of these vessels as well as the potential taxonomic significance of the differences observed within and between these families. The book presents a detailed investigation of the myology (muscle structure) and angiology (arterial structure) of the two families, highlighting their similarities and differences. Jenkinson meticulously describes the arterial arrangements and the relation of these vessels to various muscles in the birds studied, based on dissections of numerous specimens. The work indicates that while there is significant individual variation in the arteries of both families, the overall arrangement is relatively constant within each family. Furthermore, it discusses how these vascular differences may correlate with adaptive structural variations in other biological systems, positioning the findings in a broader context of avian anatomy and phylogeny.