^'°''i^'^'J ^"'iLBEKT, /I Diplcrous Parasile of Nesiliii^ Birds. ^(j 



Tawny-crowncd Honey-eater [Glyciphila fulvifrons). — Two 

 young, about a week old, with three and one larva; respectively. 



White-bearded Honey-eater {Meliornis novce-hollandicB). — From 

 19/4/14 to 7/6/14 I found five broods infected ; these were from 

 upwards of twenty nests whicli I located during that period, it 

 being a favourable time for autumn breeders. I specially mention 

 the dates because at present I feel convinced that their attacks 

 are carried out during the autumn and winter months. I have 

 examined numerous young of many species during spring and 

 summer months in search of these parasites, but so far have 

 been unsuccessful. 



Of the live broods of M. noiHC-hoUaiidiw, the following larvcC 

 were counted on them : — 



As soon as the young birds are hatched it seems that the fly 

 seizes the first opportunity to deposit her eggs, which are usually 

 placed under the wing of the young bird, where they immediately 

 hatch, and from there disperse irregularly over the lateral and 

 abdominal parts of the body, keeping clear of the various feather 

 tracts (pterylje). They then pierce the epidermis or outer skin, 

 and instantly proceed to suck up the blood. Their growth is 

 remarkably rapid, the maggot taking about six days to mature, 

 leaving the body before the young are anything like fledged. As 

 they develop they work their way further into the young bird, 

 keeping their anal segment slightly projecting from the epidermis, 

 so that their excreta in no way obstructs tlicir development nor 

 interferes with the function of the tracheal system. When the 

 maggot reaches maturity it leaves its host, and, falling to the 

 bottom of the nest, it works its way into the lining and there 

 pupates. With the Honey-eaters mentioned the lining is usually 

 composed of the velvety fluff gathered from Banksia cones. I 

 had no success with pupae brought home in nests, but those bred 

 from larvae collected took thirteen days or more to emerge. The 

 fly is a member of the well-know-n family 'Muscidce, which includes 

 house and blow^-flies. It is a short, stout fly measuring :^-inch ; 

 the arista is clothed with long hairs, more so at base, and the 

 wing venation resembles that of the blow-fly {Calliphora oceaniccB). 



I hope to treat this subject more fully when sufficient material 

 comes to hand. So far, I w'ould say that the depredations of 

 this fly among our birds are insignificant, although some of the 

 young were extrenieU- (.maciatcd, but managed to leave tin- nest 

 fully fledged. 



