THE WEIGHT OF GROUSE 



139 



CHARrS SHEWING THE FALLACY OF THE AUTUMN OUTBREAK 



OF DISEASE. 



disease than this over-sitting. This in a weakly hen is in itself a sufficient 

 cause of extreme emaciation. 



Then, again, it may be found that the bird is replete with parasites. These, 

 if the case is a true " piner," will be abundant within and without. The 

 feathers are often alive with Nirmus and Goniodes, the small flat Bird Lice, 

 and the head of the bird is dotted, especially round the eyes and ears, with 

 Ticks of the genus Ixodes. The presence of Oniithomyia, the Grouse fly, 

 depends more upon the weather and season than on the condition of the host. 

 Within, the duodenum will be occupied by a mass of Hymenolepis (tapeworms), 

 or Trichosoma (threadworms), or both ; the main gut by a far more bulky mass 

 of Davainea (tapeworms) ; and the casca may be reddened from end to end by 



