165 



Family OPISTHOCOSMIIDAE 

 Thalperus hova Bormans 

 Paulian. ig^o: Nycticorax sp.: {Thalperus ova (sic) Borm.). 



REFERENCES 



Bev-Bienko. G.J. 1936. Insectes: Dermapteres. (IN:Faune de I'URSS. 

 Institut Zoologique de rAcademie des Sciences de I'URSS, N. S., 

 No. 5, x+ 239.67 figs.). 



Order DIPTERA 



A short explanation is needed here on the interpretation and usage 

 made of Bequaert's (1953 a, 1953 b, 1954) uncompleted monograph 

 of the Hippoboscidae. He distinguishes between normal or breeding 

 hosts and feeding hosts and states: "Unfortunately, it is seldom pos- 

 sible in practice to apply the test of successful breeding to the Hippo- 

 boscidae, because the details of reproductive behavior can rarely be 

 observed in nature. Success or failure of laboratory breeding experi- 

 ments carry little weight, as it is nearly impossible to duplicate all the 

 ecological conditions of the natural environment of both parasite and 

 host, especially those of the nesting sites. In most cases one must rely 

 on a critical analysis of available host records, usually obtained at 

 random." 



Since it is generally characteristic of the bird-parasitizing hippo- 

 boscids that a portion of their life-cycle is spent within the materials 

 comprising the nest of the host, I have selected as accurately as possible 

 those species of birds he has indicated as breeding hosts. These cita- 

 tions, of which there are many, are included on the same basis as 

 though the hippoboscids were mentioned as being taken from the nesting 

 materials. This has probably resulted in some unwarranted inclusions, 

 but the approach seems to be preferable to any other. 



Undetermined 



Audcent, 1942: Birds' nests. 



Biester and Schwarte, 1952: Birds' nests; (maggots of flesh and blow- 

 flies). 

 Britton, ig^o: Bycanistes cristatusKupp.; [Acalypterae). 

 B(ryant), 1939: Bee-eater; (fly pupae). 

 Chisholm, 1952: Merops ornatus; (fly larvae). 



Delamare-Deboutteville and Paulian, 1947: Ploceus sp.; (Nematoceran). 

 — , 1952: Ploceus sp.. bird's nest; (undetermined fly). Ploceus sp., 

 Estrilda sp., "nectarinien"; (Nematoceran). 

 Elton, 1925: Kittiwake. 



Finkenbrink, 1934: Passer domesticus; ("Fliegentonnchen"). 

 Fletcher. 1920: Crow; (Blood-sucking maggot). 



