2 
to another, but a case of the breeding of the fever ticks on sheep, since 
in several cases fully engorged females have been found on these ani- 
mals, and they are now freely depositing eggs. 
The following are some of the particulars regarding data obtained up 
to this time. The matter will be followed up by the Bureau of Ento- 
mology, and a further report will be made at the end of the season. 
In April, 1907, Mr. A. P. Ward, of Jackson County, Tex., sent to 
Mr. J. D. Mitchell a number of specimens of Boophilus annulatus that 
he had taken from a sheep. In this lot there was one engorged female 
that deposited eggs which have hatched. Mr. Ward’s attention was 
attracted to the matter by seeing this tick hanging in the hair of one 
fore leg. It was in the act of dropping to the ground for oviposition. 
At least a dozen other specimens were then collected on this animal. 
There were five or six nearly engorged adult females, together with sev- 
eral nymphs and larve. The sheep upon which these ticks were found 
had not been sheared this season, although the wool was rather scant 
on-the belly. Nevertheless, the ticks had made their way well up into 
the thick wool on the sides of the animal. Mr. Ward notes that the 
sheep was ‘as oily as she could be.’? The animal was one which had 
been left in an isolated field for a month before the ticks were discov- 
ered. In moving the herd this one had accidentally been left behind. 
She was exceedingly active, and there were no indications whatever of 
any disease. The only fact which would tend to indicate the possibility 
of disease in this sheep transmitted by the ticks is that she remained 
in the same place after the herd was removed. It is barely possible 
that she was left behind on account of weakness brought about by the 
disease at the time the herd was removed. However, subsequent evie 
dence from other flocks fails to justify the assumption that there may 
have been any disease in this case. 
Early in May, 1907, Mr. J. D. Mitchell examined many sheep in the 
flock belonging to Mr. Ward. One adult female tick was found, 
together with six individuals just passing from the nymphal to the 
adult stage. These were on several different animals, but all located 
in the ears. 
At about the same time three sheep in a flock in Calhoun County 
were examined by Mr. Mitchell. Two adult female ticks about ready 
to drop to the ground and one molting nymph were found on these 
three animals. 
Since that time Mr. Mitchell has examined ten sheep in a large flock 
belonging to Col. J.C. Warden, whose ranch is in Victoria County, Tex. 
On two of these sheep specimens of Boophilus annulatus almost fully 
‘engorged were found. They were both located on the head, near the 
base of the ear. Colonel Warden states that late in the summer and 
fall the fever ticks cause considerable annoyance on his sheep. It is 
necessary to treat them continuously to prevent damage from screw- 
