58 



NEW SPECIES OF AVIAN CESTODES. 



T. Harvey Johnston, M.A., D.Sc. 



{From the Btireau of Microhioluyy, Sydney, N.S.W.). 



(Plates iv.-vi.) 



CnOANOTiENIA MELIPHAGIDARUM, H.Sp. 



(Plate iv.) 



The small intestines of several species of birds belonging to 

 the family Meliphagidce (" lioney-eaters ") more or less frequently 

 harbour a thin, delicate, multi-segmented and relatively long 

 cestode of about 45 mm. in length. This parasite has so far been 

 found in the following species, in the Sydney and Hawkesbury 

 districts, by Dr. J. B. Cleland and myself — Meliornis novce- 

 ho/Jaudi(K Lath., Meliornis serlcea Gould, Ptilotis leucotis Lath., 

 and Ftilutis chrysutis Lath.,(Syn. F. lewini Swainson). 



Scolex: — The scolex is veiy small, short and rounded in general 

 form. A very slight constriction marks it off from the rest of 

 the budy. Its maximum breadth is at about the level of tlie 

 posterior edge of the suckers, where it measures nearly 0-2 mm., 

 whilst at the neck-constriction the width is 0'166 mm., innne- 

 diately behind which the strobila again widens to about 0'2 mm. 

 The rostellum is small and unarmed. The entire rostellar sac is 

 a . pyriform structure of about 0*097 mm. long, and ha^'ing a 

 maximum breadth of 0"042 mm. In a few of the specimens 

 examined, the rostellum was seen to be protracted, and appeared 

 to be a fairly prominent conical projection, whilst in others it was 

 (juite retracted. In fig.l, it is shown partly withdrawn. The 

 Drgan in question shows a similarity to that in some unarmed 

 species of Hymeiiolejns, e.g., U. dimitiuta from rats and mice. 



The four suckers are rounded and cuplike, having a diameter 

 of 0"058 to 0*068 mm. Their musculature is moderately deve- 

 loped, and the rather considerable depth of the cavity should 

 tend to increase their efficiency. As will be seen from fig.l, they 



