Structure and function of the pigeon visual system

Abstract

This comprehensive, up-to-date account of vision in the pigeon begins with a description of the eye, its dimensions, and optical properties. The retina is discussed in considerable detail, with particular attention given to: the distribution of the various cell types within and across the retina, the number and the nature of the oil drops in the cones, the highly developed inner plexiform layer, the response characteristics of the ganglion cells, and the damage to cones caused by exposure to light. Lastly, the three major visual pathways are examined neuroanatomically and electrophysiologically. In the second section, several important issues have been emphasized: the putative differences between frontal and lateral vision, visual sensitivity to both discrete and periodic stimuli at various adaptation levels, polarotaxis in the pigeon, the bipartite spectral sensitivity of its retina, hue and saturation discrimination, sensitivity to ultraviolet light, panoramic acuity, and the detection of movement. © 1978, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.