[Topography of the quail retina]

Abstract

Retinas of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were studied by light microscopy. By this, an area centralis with high cell density could be demonstrated. Moreover, in the posterior-superior retina there exists a region of moderate cell density containing a central red field with a high concentration of cones with red oil droplets. The results suggest the quail to be able to fix objects lateral to its head and in front of its bill in direction of picking.