Smell research: the crested auklet

University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher Hector Douglas has found that, for crested auklets, chemistry has both amorous and practical applications. The birds rub a citrus-like scent, secreted in wick-like feathers on their backs, on each other during courtship, a behavior called alloanointing.

— And the aldehydes in the scent apparently help ward off ticks. Read the rest in Science Daily.