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Science 28 May 1971:
Vol. 172. no. 3986, pp. 958 - 959
DOI: 10.1126/science.172.3986.958
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Articles

Uric Acid Dihydrate in Bird Urine

Kathleen Lonsdale 1 and D. June Sutor 1

1 University College, London, W.C.1, England

X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the white excrement from a budgerigar, consists mainly of uric acid dihydrate. Initially this material is in the form of a smectic (or cholesteric) phase, which transforms to the normal crystalline phase either on aging or on removal of the minor (soluble) constituents of the excrement with water or dilute acids.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)