140 OSTEICH-FAEMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



fuges at once, and by isolatiiig" the birds from his 

 others, whilst feeding them up well, try and stop its 

 spreading. With these things a stitch in time is worth 

 doubly nine. 



The other principal worm inhabiting the Ostrich is a 

 white one, from one to two inches long, located in the 

 coeca, and found, we believe, in nearly every Ostrich. 

 As science has yet to decide what part the coeca play 

 in the economy of animal nature, it is impossible to say 

 to what extent they exercise an injurious effect on the 

 bird. It apparently belongs to the tribe " Lumbri- 

 coides," and is found swimming about in the liquid 

 contained in that part. When the bird is in a low con- 

 dition they become very numerous. We have known 

 large and repeated doses of santonine given daily for a 

 week, and the birds have improved ; but how far this 

 was due to the birds being kept up at the homestead, 

 and consequently better fed, we cannot S2iy. 



In one instance we found two very long worms 

 threaded under the outside skin of the gizzard, appa- 

 rently ^' guinea " worms ; but as this was some years 

 ago, and we have not since come upon it, it does not 

 appear that it spreads. 



Birds are subject to lice in their feathers, especially 

 when in low condition or out of health ; no doubt 

 dressings of flowers of sulphur or carbolic powder 



