Page 95 - The Miracles of Smell and Taste

93

and even when flying over fea-
tureless land with which they are unfa-
miliar. 79 Following are the results of various
studies by bird and scent experts.

Some species of vulture determine their
prey by the smell it emits. Vultures have even been
observed to fly repeatedly over areas where there are
leaks in gas pipelines. The reason for this behavior is not hard to guess.
Vultures detect the smell of a chemical additive in gas, which closely re-
sembles that of dead carrion.
Different species of pigeon possess different-sized scent perception
regions and olfactory bulbs. Laboratory experiments have also shown
that every bird displays a specific reaction to smells. Homing pigeons,
which can return to their roosts even after being released from a long dis-
tance away, use their sense of smell as well as sight. It has been proven
many times that if pigeons’ sense of smell is obstructed by blocking their
nostrils, they fail to return home. Pigeons are thought to use mainly visu-
al indicators when near their roosts, and scents borne by the wind when

they are in unfamiliar territory. (In addition, pi-
geons may also find their way by sensing the
Earth’s magnetic field.)

Above: A vulture that
locates food from the
smell it gives off.
Side: A pigeon able
to travel long distan-
ces back to its nest,
also by using its
sense of smell.