CHAPTER XXXIX 



Parasitic Affections in Connection with the Skin 



Pheasants, like other gallinaceous birds, are liable to be 

 infested with various kinds of acari and pediculi, some of 

 which are almost constantly present on them, though birds 

 that are infested in this manner certainly never thrive as 

 well as those without them. The existence of pediculi or 

 lice may be accepted as evidence, more especially in young 

 birds reared under artificial conditions, that the coops have 

 been the source of infection, or else the broody hen, or a 

 combination of the two. The introduction of lice through 

 the domestic fowl amongst the young birds is by far the 

 commonest medium of infection, and game-rearers should 

 take particular precaution to guard against the advent of 

 such unpropitious circumstances. One of the commonest 

 parasites infest the legs of Pheasants and also of fowls, 

 producing scabies of the legs, or what is more popularly 

 known as 



Scaly-leg 



A disease that attacks the legs, though most authorities are 

 of the opinion that it is confined to these parts only. As 

 poultry are commonly affected, it may be readily introduced 

 amongst Pheasants during the rearing season, therefore 

 every game-rearer should endeavour to see that all the fowls 

 he purchases are free from this trouble. Most gamekeepers 



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