No abstract

3-Chloro-4-methyl benzamine HCl (DRC-1339), an avian toxicant, was fed to five species of birds for periods up to 120 days. The 30-day LC50 of uniformly treated feed for starlings was 4.7 ppm and the 90-day LC50 was 1.0 ppm. The 28-day LC50 for coturnix was 18 ppm. The 30-day LC50 for pigeons was less than 100 ppm. Pheasants fed diets containing 2% DRC-1339 baits diluted to a rate of 286 ppm of DRC-1339 died within 22 days. Bobwhite quail fed similar diets suffered some mortality at levels as low as 2.9 ppm, but most survived 10 times this dosage level for the 120-day test period. Application of the Kenaga "Index of Chronicity", resulted in the conclusion that DRC-1339 was cumulatively toxic to birds. Reproduction in coturnix was adversely affectd by treatments at 10 ppm of DRC-1339 and above. Reproduction in pigeons was adversely affectd by a treatment of 25 ppm. In coturnix, DRC-1339 caused an increased incidence of egg breakage and decreased both egg and live chick production. In pigeons, DRC-1339 caused an increase in the proportion of infertile eggs. Reproductive ability to first generation offspring was not affected when parent coturnix and pigeons were fed DRC-1339. These data emphasize the need for care in the use of DRC-1339. The bait should be used only as registered and care exercised in storage and disposal of unused baits to avoid poisoning of nontarget species.

No abstract

When male and female coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix) were given a single subacute oral dose (5.62 mg/kg) of the avian frightening agent 4-aminopyridine (4AP) and paired with untreated mates, there was no effect on the reproductive performance of males; egg production of females was reduced the third week after treatment but recovered during the fourth week. Chronic exposure to 31.6, 100, and 316 ppm of 4AP in the diet of mated pairs did not affect reproductive performance during or after the 4- or 6-week period the chemical was fed, but no birds fed 1,000 ppm produced live chicks after treatment began and all died within 3 weeks. The 28-day LC50 of 4AP was determined to be 447 ppm for male coturnix and 562 ppm for females. F1 progeny from quail fed 31.6, 100, and 316 ppm 4AP and randomly mated at maturity showed no reproductive effects from their parents' exposure.

Since 1972, the Denver Wildlife Research Center has maintained a screening programme in which coturnix quail are used in a search for compounds that affect reproduction in male birds (Schafer, Guarino & Brunton, 1976). The laboratory programme, operating in conjunction with field studies on the biological and ecological aspects of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus; Bray, Kennelly & Guarino, 1975), is designed to find a safe and effective avian male chemosterilant that can be used to reduce bird damage in agricultural and urban areas. The present paper presents the results ofthe tests conducted between 1972 and 1974 with 45 compounds of known or suspected chemosterilant activity in birds or rodents. Methods Our quail were randomly bred and raised in our facilities from original stock (Random Line 926) obtained from the University of California at Davis. Adult males weighed 110-120 g and females 125-145 g on average.