Yes. The metal lath instead of hardware cloth on the wide widths.
I don't know. The open front also allows a chimney effect although not as much.
I can easily tell the difference in air flow between the east windows being in or out. The two windows are 20"x27" each and about five feet up from...
I have pretty close to exactly this. It works very well. I do put windows in the east window openings for the winter and close the eave vents but I am very far north of you. I leave it open from early spring to late fall. If I lived as far south as you, I'd build it like Florida Bullfrog...