THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 281 
nyssus Avium in Dr. Lankester’s translation of the work I 
have mentioned (“The Manual of Animal and Vegetable 
Parasites,’ by Fredrich Riichenmeister, vol. ii.; published by 
the Sydenham Society). The figure accurately represents 
the species usually found in bird-cages, with the exception 
that it differs in the length of the legs, but perhaps I 
have only seen immature specimens. ‘The description of its 
habits coincides almost exactly with that given in your last 
number. This author and several other German writers 
think that this mite has occasionally, under certain conditions, 
been found parasitic upon the human body ; and this is a point 
on which I have sought, in vain, for further information.— 
Henry Charles Lang; University College, London, March 
14, 1871. 
[I have also been favoured with the following cutting from 
the ‘ Field’ newspaper, of the 23rd of August, 1862.— Edward 
Newman. | 
Parasites on Canaries.—In rooms birds ought to be more 
free from vermin than those bred in cages, simply because 
there are less haunts for the vermin than in cages, especially 
where there is much wood-work; and it gives the birds a 
better chance of ridding themselves of the pests by bathing 
and exercise. But in breeding seasons the nests are the 
principal haunts for the bug, owing to the young being 
in them. This shows the necessity of strict attention in 
supplying fresh nests. [ always make a practice to give a clean 
one a day before hatching, and another in five or six days 
after. When giving the fresh nests dust them with the 
insect-powder, which I have adopted for years. I use both 
boxes and baskets, and to every fresh one I apply (before 
making the nest) inside train-oil, but, of course, not in any 
quantity to inate the old birds. This oil I have found 
of more service than anything else I ever used. At the 
commencement of the breeding season | make a mixture 
of camphor (dissolved in spirit of wine), turpentine and soft- 
soap, and dress all joints and crevices with a brush. Apply 
the oil to the ends of the perches. A solution of camphor, 
spirit of wine and turpentine may be used during the season, 
because it will easily find its way into the smallest crevice ; 
but I find that when the wood has absorbed it the vermin 
will haunt there again. The solution is, for the time, deadly ; 
