estimated to be 103 to 108 days as compared to 60 days for the controls. Although both birds at 25 mW/cm2 completed their molting process, the question as to whether the slower rate of molting was due to microwaves or the change in environment during molting (birds had already started to molt when captured) remains unresolved. Effects of Microwaves on Length of New Feathers In addition to using the system of scoring changes in growth of flight feathers, measurements of the length of individual feathers at the end of molt was carried out for the controls and 10 mW/cm2 exposed birds. A decrease in length of the original feathers compared to new feathers was expected due to normal wear of the feathers since the last molt. Table 1 contains the ratios of the length of original and new feathers of selected indicator feathers. There was no significant effect of microwaves on the length of new feathers compared to the original feathers lost during molt. In general, the original feathers of the birds exposed to 10 mW/cm2 were longer than their new feathers, while the reverse was true for the controls. It is unlikely that this very small difference in feather length will influence flight and survival of the birds and, therefore, should not be considered of biological consequence.
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