NEMATODE PARASITES OF BIRDS 205 



Life history. — Unknown; probably similar in a general way to 

 that of G. scutatum. the eggs passing in the droppings and being 

 eaten by some coprophagns arthropods, probably beetles, the worms 

 developing to larvae encysted in the intermediate host and the pri- 

 mary host becoming infected by eating these infected secondary 

 hosts. 



Distribution. — North America (United States (collected at Wash- 

 ington, D. C, in a chicken from Florida and subsequently collected 

 in chickens bought at the Washington market and probably originat- 

 ing either in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia)), 

 Asia (Philippines, Formosa), Europe (Roumania) and Australia. 



Subfamily Uncertain 



The following species are left provisionally in the old and invalid 

 genus Spiroptera. In certain cases there are some indications show- 

 ing that some species may belong in valid and established genera, 

 but the evidence does not appear to be sufficient to warrant a change 

 in the name at this time with the possibility that further study may 

 develop evidence not in harmony with the available evidence. 



Genus SPIROPTERA Rudolphi, 1819 



Generic diagnosis. — Spiruridae (p. 163) : This genus is used here 

 only to avoid a change in existing names where the change could 

 serve no useful purpose. Stiles has recently suggested that old and 

 invalid generic names be used for species which can not be accurately 

 located generically. While this policy is open to debate as regards 

 the present day description of new species, it is a good policy to fol- 

 low as regards species now in these old genera. The status of Spirop- 

 tera is discussed elsewhere. For the purpose of discussing the follow- 

 ing species it is only necessary to characterize it as a broad generic 

 group covering worms having spirurid characters and not capable of 

 definite assignment to modern and valid genera. For this purpose 

 no type species is necessary. 



SPIROPTERA PENIHAMATA Molin, 1860b 



Synonyms. — Spiroptera strigis-atricapillae Molin, 1860; Spirop- 

 tera strigis-flammeae Molin, I860; Spiroptera strigis-griseatae Molin, 

 1860; Spiroptera strigis-lineatae Molin, 1860. 



Hosts. — Primary : Strix atricapilla, S. flammea, S. griseata, and 

 S. albomarginata; secondary: Unknown. 



Location. — Between the tunics of the gizzard. 



Morphology. — Spiroptera (p 205) : Head continuous with body, 

 not alate. Anterior extremity attenuate. According to Drasche, the 

 mouth has 2 lateral lips as in Spiroptera bullosa or S. semilimaris. 



