Abstract: Some visual information is sent to the nucleus geniculatus lateralis ventralis (GLv) via the cells in layer I (I cells) of the tectum in birds and is used for color vision, papillary reflex, and kineoptic functions. To reveal the morphological features of ‘I cells’ which project to GLv, they were retrogradely labeled with cyanine perchlorate DiI in chicks. Two different types of neurons, “spear dendritic I cells” and “forked dendritic I cells” were identified. The former had small spindle soma and an apical dendrite extending to the tectal surface, and the latter had somewhat larger triangular or polygonal soma and plural ascending dendrites. Most of the labeled dendritic endings distributed horizontally in layer F, and showed ending patterns similar to the terminals of optic nerve fibers.