What's my line?

I'm attracted to linear objects and interesting lines and things that are lined up - I find I often photograph things that feature parallel lines. A quick scan of my photos yields these diverse themes with lots of lines. From medicinal vials to organic plant forms, books to shadows. Visually, line is everywhere.

In the back of my head I keep thinking about another intriguing line - the lateral line on fish. I first learned about it years ago and was fascinated how these structures (the dots you see, below) made up of tiny "hair cells" were so critical to schooling behavior. These hairs sense movement and vibrations in the water around them and translate it into information to not only make schooling possible, but help fish hunt or escape predators. I'm wondering if there is an analogous feature in birds that makes it possible for them to murmur....