中文摘要：

动物代谢率存在差异的原因及其意义是进化生理学上的一个核心问题。为了解代谢率的影响因素和功能意义，测定了红头长尾山雀Aegithalos concinnus、白头鹎Pycnonotus sinensis、丝光椋鸟Sturnus sericeus和小鸦Embedza pusilla的基础代谢率，分析了动物体内的8种器官或者组织的大小与代谢率的关系。结果显示，基础代谢率与脑、肝脏、肾脏、胃、小肠和总消化道干重（胃、小肠与直肠的干重之和）相关显著。

英文摘要：

A central problem in evolutionary physiology concerns the physiological origin and functional significance of the intraspecific and interspecific variations in basal metabolic rate （BMR）. BMR is the rate of energy transformation in a rested, awake and fasted state in the absence of thermal stress, and is the minimum metabolic rate of animals maintaining norreally physiological function. It is one of important parameters of energy metabolism comparison. In this study, BMR and body organs were measured and the relationship between BMR and organ mass were evaluated in red-beaded tit Aegithalos concinnus, Chinese bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis, silky starling Sturnus sericeu and little bunting Emberiza pusilla. BMR was measured using the closed-circuit respirometer. The metabolic rates were measured at 25℃ and each trial lasted for 60 minutes after the animals had been in the metabolic chamber for about 1 hour to stabilize its environment. After that, they were killed and the body organs （brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, small intestine, rectum stomach） were dissected. It was found that BMR was positively related to the masses of brain, liver, kidney, stomach, small intestine and the alimentary canal the amount masses of small intestine, rectum and stomach.