Coues.] 104 [October?. 



Parasites haite occasionally been found infesting the brain or its 

 membranes in man and animals, but far less frequently than the other 

 regions of the body. The number of species thus far observed is 

 quite small, and are chiefly referable to the genera Tcenia, Filar ia, 

 Trichina and Dijjlostomum, and confined almost wholly to man and 

 domesticated animals, such as the sheep, reindeer, dromedary, horse 

 and ox, and among wild animals to the chamois, roe-buck, and a 

 few others. Tliat they have not been more frequently seen in the 

 wild species, is without doubt due to the fact that the brains of these 

 have been so seldom examined for the purpose of detecting them. 



As soon as attention was directed to the brain of the Anhinga as 

 the seat of parasitism, every opportunity was improved for fiirther ex- 

 amination, and the result is, that the presence of worms in the cranial 

 cavity was proved to be what might be called the normal condition of 

 this bird, since they were detected in seventeen out of nineteen cases. 

 They are found in one single locality, viz.: just behind the cerebral 

 lobes and on the cerebellum, and not elsewhere; they are viviparous 

 and immensely prolific. Their earlier stages are unknown, but the 

 analogy of the Gordiaceous and other worms leads to the supposition 

 that the parasite of the brain o{ Anhinga is one of the migratory kinds, 

 and that a part of its life, at least, is passed in a locality quite different 

 from that in which it was detected. The manner in which the transfer 

 of the embryos is effected outwardly to some other animal, or the wa- 

 ter, and then back to another Anhinga, is wholly unknown. 



Synopsis of the Birds of South Carolina. By Elliott 

 Coues, M. D. 



The following hst is believed to contain all the species occurring in 

 the State, whether as residents, migrants, summer or winter visitants, 

 or of casual appearance. Care has been taken to determine, as far 

 as possible, in every case, to which category the species belongs. 

 The ascertaining of the species that winter in the State is a matter 

 of especial interest in determining the range of migrants ; and has 

 therefore been taken into particular consideration. An excellent idea 

 of the distribution of birds along the Atlantic States may be gained 

 by comparison of the present list and those mentioned in the accom- 

 panying foot note.^ A good list of Floridan birds would be an accept- 

 able contribution. 



1 Catalogue of tlie Birds found at Norway, Maine. With a list of the Kirds 



