Relationships between erythrocyte number, size and haemoglobin content were examined in 441 species (101 families) of mammals, birds and reptiles. Whereas the total number of red cells (RBC), the mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) showed much variation, the haemoglobin level (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were relatively constant in all adult mammals and birds but lower in reptiles. There was a strong positive correlation between MCV and MCH and a strong negative correlation between MCV and RBC across all species. Mammals had more, smaller erythrocytes per unit volume of blood than birds, which, in their turn, had more, smaller erythrocytes than reptiles. The findings confirm that the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is highly conserved in birds and mammals but is lower in exothermic groups such as reptiles. Although the significance of the observed species differences in RBC and MCV has yet to be explained, the findings have considerable evolutionary, physiological and diagnostic interest.

Disease ecology is a relevant but relatively unexplored subject of research in urban coyotes ( Canis latrans Say, 1823). In fact, this carnivore may play a role in the circulation of parasites that can have implications on the health of humans and domestic dogs, but can also be affected by pathogens transmitted from domestic reservoirs. To investigate the gastrointestinal parasites of urban coyotes in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we analyzed 61 carcasses and 247 fecal samples collected within the metropolitan area, including city parks, in 2009–2010. We found nine parasite taxa: Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1902), Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1884), Ancylostoma caninum (Ercolani, 1859), Pterygodermatites affinis (Jägerskiöld, 1904), Trichuris vulpis (Froelich, 1789), Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863, Taenia crassiceps (Zeder, 1800), genus Giardia Kunstler, 1882, and genus Cystoisospora Frenkel, 1977. Factors related to coyote ecology, habitat characteristics, and dog management likely influence the community of coyote parasites in an urban environment, and need to be taken into account to assess the actual role of this carnivore in the maintenance of parasites in the city landscape. Further research is needed to assess the current risk for transmission of potentially zoonotic parasites (e.g., E. multilocularis, T. crassiceps, Giardia sp.) among coyotes, dogs, and humans.

SUMMARYFull blood counts and fibrinogen estimations were carried out on 49 clinically normal Chilean flamingos of different ages. Compared with adults, chicks aged 2-3 months showed low haemoglobin levels, red cell counts, packed cell volumes and mean cell haemoglobin concentrations. There was a rise in haemoglobin level and red cell count with increasing age but the mean cell haemoglobin concentration did not reach optimum until the birds were mature. In chicks the total white cell count was high and the number of heterophils was widely variable. Findings on four sick adult birds provided preliminary evidence that clinical haematology has a potential diagnostic value in this species. INTRODUCTIONFlamingos are among the most popular wild birds kept in Zoological collections and the veterinary care of these birds is an important component of avian medicine. There is evidence from studies on Rosy flamingos (Phoenicopterus tuber ruber) that clinical haematology can be of value for differential diagnosis and for monitoring the response of these birds to treatment (Bush and Smith, 1980;Hawkey et al, 1984). For full evaluation of blood counts on sick and normal individuals haematological reference values are required and these have only been published for Rosy flamingos, Greater flamingos (P.r. roseus) and Andean flamingos (Phoenicoparrus andinus) (Bush and Smith, 1980;von Seidel, 1980; Hawkey et al. 1982). This paper reports the results of a haematological survey on a further flamingo species, the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chiliensis). Full blood counts and fibrinogen estimations were carried out on 49 healthy immature and adult birds and the findings used to calculate normal reference values for birds of different ages. These reference values were used as the basis for a preliminary assessment of haemopathological changes occurring in the four birds which developed abnormal clinical signs during the survey period.

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SUMMARYFall blood counts on 56 clinically normal cranes of nine different species have provided reference values for the interpretation of haematological changes in 13 cranes presenting with abnormal clinical signs. Hypochromic anaemia, heterophilia and lymphocytosis were found in birds with probable Mycobacterium avium infection and heterophilia and lymphocytosis in birds with bumblefoot, arthritis, nephrosis and cardiac myopathy. In several of the cases with heterophilia and lymphocytosis the fibrinogen level was also raised. A senile bird with thickened heart valves showed macrocytosis.The potential diagnostic value of clinical haematology in cranes is discussed. INTRODUCTIONClinical haematology offers a potentially valuable tool in the veterinary care of birds since the volume of blood required for testing is small and can usually be obtained without risk. Unfortunately the interpretation of findings is often difficult, partly because normal reference values for the species are often not available and partly because the response of the blood to infectious, inflammatory and other diseases has not been determined. The veterinary care of cranes is currently of particular importance since most crane species are endangered in the wild and efforts are being made in several countries to maintain, breed and rear these birds in captivity. Haematological studies on a small number of normal cranes have been reported by von Bernd Siedel (1980) but no information is available about pathological changes in their blood. This paper presents haematological reference values derived from tests carried out on clinically normal adult cranes in the collection of the Zoological Society of London at Regent's Park and Whipsnade and describes the findings in a number of clinical cases. The results show that, when suitable reference values are available, abnormal changes can often be identified in the blood of sick birds and thus provide a basis on which the