## Mammal and Bird Measurement Recording

If a species and element combination is chosen that comprises of either a mammal or a bird, and that has a measurements table already in existence, the system will open the 'mammal and bird measurement recording' form. (Otherwise, it will open the unusual measurements recording form.)

By default, the system contains measurement tables for the following elements:

Mammals | Birds
astragalus | carpometacarpus
calcaneum | coracoid
horncore | femur
humerus | humerus
metacarpal | tarsometatarsus
metapodial | tibiotarsus
metatarsal | ulna
phalanx 1 |
radius |
scapula |
teeth |
tibia |

Recommended measurements for the main domestic species, plus birds, are given here. These follow the EAU protocol (Dobney, Jaques and Johnstone 1999.

Additional measurement tables can be added, or existing ones can have measurement fields added to them, by the use of the customise form. This form can also be used to see which measurements can currently be recorded for each element, and to see if any additional measurement tables have been added to the defaults listed above.

When the measurement form is opened, it will appear to flicker momentarily. This is because this form is dynamically generated, and has to assign values to various fields upon opening.

Bone ID
The system will copy over the Bone ID from the main recording form, and the value cannot be altered by the user.

Element
In the top right of the form, under the title, the name of the relevant element will be displayed. This is to reassure the user that this form will record data in the correct measurement table.

Measurements
The majority of the mammal and bird measurements that can be recorded follow von den Driesch (1976). Some additions include (after Dobney, Jaques and Johnstone 1999):

Pig tooth measurements | Additional humerus measurements
--- | ---
Additional tibia shaft diameter, recorded for caprines, cattle and pigs; as illustrated in the anterior-posterior plane | Additional calcaneum measurements
Additional distal metapodial measurements

Finally, users have the option to add New Records or Delete incorrect ones. It is possible to record measurements for multiple specimens recorded using one identification number.