EXTERNAL PARASITES OF BIRDS AND THE FAUNA 



OF BIRDS' NESTS. 1 



IRENE D. DOBROSCKY. 



There have been comparatively few papers published on the 

 parasites of birds. The work of the writer on this subject was 

 carried on at Cornell University with material collected in the 

 vicinity of Ithaca, New York. 



The external parasites of the birds examined were all Arthro- 

 pods falling into three orders, Diptera, Mallophaga, and 

 Siphonaptera. The dipterous parasites belong to the genus 

 Protocalliphora of the Family Calliphoridae. The majority of 

 Calliphorine flies are scavengers that live on decaying animal and 

 vegetable matter. The genus Protocalliphora, however, is a 

 small group of flies parasitic on young birds. The larvae are 

 intermittent blood-sucking obligate parasites. There is some 

 controversy as to whether they are confirmed ectoparasites or not. 

 Bezzi ('22) states that the subcutaneous tumors caused by fly- 

 larva? are in many cases erroneously attributed to the Proto- 

 calliphora and that other Calliphorine flies may be the agents. 

 Since the Protocalliphora are intermittent feeders it is impossible 

 for them to become permanent ecto parasites. 



The nomeclature of this group is somewhat involved. In 

 earlier literature the genus Protocalliphora is referred to under the 

 names of Phormia and Protophormia. AviJiospita is a later 

 synonym. There are at least five valid world species in this 

 genus. In Europe there are two distinct species P. azurea 

 Fallen and P. candea Robineau-Desvoidy. According to the 

 studies of the writer based on larval and pupal forms, and on 

 adults by R. C. Shannon, there are at least three distinct species 

 in North America. These are P. splendida Macquart, P. avium, 

 and P. hirudo (a Western form), the latter two described by 

 Shannon and Dobroscky ('24). 



1 The writer wishes to express her appreciation for help, suggestions, c ooper- 

 ation and determinations to Dr. R. Matheson, Dr. O. A. Johannsen, Dr. J. Beq uaert, 

 Dr. W. T. M. Forbes. Professor G. W. Herrick. C. R. Crosby, R. C. Shannon, J. 

 W. Folsom, F. C. Fletcher. H. Good, C. H. Curran, L. S. West, J. R. Mallock, H. 

 C. Huckett, and to the numerous persons who aided in collecting the birds' nests. 



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