APPENDIX C. 



THE PARASITES INFESTING GANNETS. 



Bird-lice or Biting-lice. — These Ectoparasites are small insects 

 oi the Order Neuroptera, Sub-order Mallophaga, which exist 

 on, and derive nourishment from the feathers and skin 

 of living birds. They are wingless, and differ from ordinarj^ 

 lice in the structure of the mouth, which is formed for 

 biting. Gannets are largely infested with Mallophaga, and as 



DOCOPHORUS BASSAN^ ?. 



LIPEURUS PULLATUS c?. 



might be expected these parasites are by no means confined 

 to the British Gannet. The African Sula capensis, the Australian 

 S. serrator, and probably all the tropical Boobies, harbour para- 

 sites of this Sub-order. Of some of these mention is made in 

 " Les Pediculines," by E. Piaget (1880-5). In this comprehensive 



