Smelling out predators is innate in birds

The role of olfaction for predation risk assessment remains barely explored in birds, although predator chemical cues could be useful in predator detection under low visibility conditions for many bird species. We examine whether Great Tits Parus major are able to use the odour of mustelids to assess predation risk when selecting cavities for roosting. We analysed whether the response to predator chemical cues is innate and assessed whether the antipredatory response is associated with exploratory behaviour, a proxy for the personality of birds. In a choice experiment in aviaries, we offered naïve adult Great Tits of known personality two nest-boxes, one control and one experimental. The experimental nest-box had the odour of a mustelid predator or a strong new odour without biological significance, the control nest-box contained no odour. When one of the cavities contained the odour of a predator, birds avoided the use of either of the two offered nest-boxes, whereas there was no avoidance of boxes when one of the nest-boxes contained a control odour. There was no relationship with exploratory behaviour. We show that the ability to use the chemical cues of predators is innate in birds, but individual differences in the response to predator chemical cues cannot be explained by the personality of the bird.

Reflexión acerca de las causas matrimoniales en España

Summarium Intendit hoc studium responsum dare articulo P. Romualdo Rodrigo, O. A. R., edito in recensione Romanae Universitatis Gregorianae, «Periodica», a. 1973, p. 503-550. Per copiosa data considerationesque significatur status processuum matrimonialium in Hispania. Urgetur character iudicialis, non administrativus, Decreti ratificantis, sicut in Motu proprio «Causas matrimoniales » regulatur. Respectu matrimonii, Hispania non est fautor divortii, et tramitatio causarum matrimonii canonici, vel nullitatis sint vel separationis, reservatur tribunalibus Ecclesiae. Res publica agnoscit valorem harum decisionum quantum ad effectus civiles, quorum determinatio iudicibus civilibus competit Animadvertitur praestantia quam pro matrimonio et familia leges hispanae habent, non enim tribuunt effectus iuridicos separationi consensuali ad mentem doctrinae et iuris Ecclesiae. Ideo non permittitur transigere in solutione vinculi, neque in ruptura cohabitationis, neque in officio patrum. catholicae filiorum instructionis. Statu actuali divortiorum, nullitatum separationumque considerato, urgetur convenientia Ecclesiae tuendi, ubi possibile sit, sanctitatem atque dignitatem matrimonii familiaeque et non cedendi ius suumcognitionis causarum matrimonialium separationis. Pro munere quod Ecclesia fidelibus suis praestare debet quantum ad iustitiam de matrimoniis, principia, qUibus tribunalium ecclesiasticorum ordinatio regi debeat, studuuntur. Specialiter considerata est convenientia Rotae Nuntiaturae Apostolicae Matritensis, in relatione cum tribunalibus minoribus Hispaniae et cum pontificiis, praesertim cum sacra Rota Romana. Auctor examinat argumenta adducta contra tribunalia ecclesiastica hispana. Denique proponuntur conclusiones et sugerentiae circa tribunal unipersonale in unaquaque dioecesi, circa tribunalia facultativa provincialiaet dioecesana, circa tribunalia Barcinonis Matritique, et circa Rotam Nuntiaturae Apostolicae. Magni momenti sunt varia schemata circa gradationem tribunalium. Erectio Studii Rotalis postulatur.-------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract This paper appeared in response to an article of P. Romualgo Rodrigo, OAR. which had be en published in «Periodica» (1973), pp. 503-550, a journal of the Gregorian University in Rome. Reporting a grand Lumber of facts and considerations, the author explains the actual condition of matrimonial processes in Spain. He insists in the judidal, and not administrative, nature of the ratifying Decree, as determined in the Motu proprio .Causas matrimoniales». Spain does not recognize divorce, and the transaction of the causes of marriage according to canon law, whether it be a case of nullity or separation, is reserved for the Church courts. The government recognizes these decisions to all legal effects, which should be determined by the civil courts. The author points out the advantage that Spanish law offers with respect to marriage and the family since the civil code does not concede legal effects to a consented separation, in agreement with Church doctrine and law. Therigidity of Spanishlaw withrespect to the dissolution of the marriage bond, the decision of the married couple to live apart, and the parentalresponsabilities regarding the Catholic upbringing of the children is a logical consequence of this posture. Considering the current state of divorce, nullificationand separation, the •author insists that the Church must, whenever possible, strive to safeguard the dignitv and holiness of marriage and of the family; and should not surrender its right to decide cases of matrimonial separation. In relation to the service which the Church offers its faithful seeking justice in matrimonial affairs, this paper studies the principies which should guide the organization of the ecclesiastical courts. The author hasexamined with special attention the convenience of the Rota of the Apostolic Nunciatura in Madrid, in •relation to the lower Spanish and pontificalcourts, specially the Sacred Roman Rota. The author analizes subsequently the arguments which are employed in Spain to discredit the ecclesiastical tribunales. At the end of this paper various conclusions and suggestions are offered with respect to the unipersonal diocesan courts, the provincial and diocesan tribunales, the courts in Barcelona and Madrid, and the Rota of the Apostolic Nunciature. The report also provides interesting illustrations, showing the different levels of the distinct tribunales. The author advocates a serious study of the Rota

Olfaction: An Overlooked Sensory Modality in Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare

Birte L. Nielsen [et al.]Peer reviewe