215 



was caused by the squirrels seizing and biting onttbe testicles of tbeir 

 comrades. In support of tins idea be gives tbe testimony of Mr. 

 Hurst, taxidermist of tbe New York State Cabinet of Natural History, 

 wbo claimed to bave seen a balf dozen red squirrels unite in mastering 

 a gray one and castrating bim. Dr. Fitcb queries wbetber tbe bot-fly 

 may not be attracted by tbe wound so made, if tbis babit prove com- 

 mon, but concludes tbat tbe object of tbe joint attack of several upon 

 one is ratber to kill tbe grab wbicb is engaged in emasculating bim. 



Unfortunately tbere is yet some doubt as to wbetber Fitcb's species 

 will bold. Brauer, in bis Monograpb of tbe CEstridiie, page 232, quotes 

 Fitcb's description at lengtb, and states tbat be can not separate tbe 

 species from Ciiterehra scutellaris Low, a Nortb American species, tbe 

 habits of wbicb do not seem to be known. 



If tbis interesting insect bas not attracted much attention of late years 

 from entomologists, it bas not failed to be noticed by zoologists and tax- 

 idermists, altbougb we are not aware tbat observations bave been pub- 

 lished. Tbe following statement was written at our request by Dr. 

 Merriam, tbe Ornithologist of tbe Department, as we had learned by 

 conversation that be bad made notes some years ago on the abundance 

 of the insect in New York State : 



111 reply to your inquiry couceruing the occurreuce of Cuterebr."© in squirrels, I 

 would state that during many years collecting in the Adirondack region of northern 

 New York, particularly along its western bordei', in the Black River Valley, I fre- 

 queutly found Cuterebri« in or near the scrotum in the Gray Squirrel (Sciurus caroli- 

 vensis leueotis), Red Squirrel (Sciurus hudsonius), and Chipmunk {Tamias striatus lysteri). 

 I have observed the same thing at East Hampton, Mass., and in other localities. The 

 most extraordinary instance of the prevalence of this disgusting parasite that has 

 fallen under my observation was at the south end of Lake Champlain, New York, in 

 October, 1885. On the 7th and 9th of that month I killed mora than fifty Chipmunk^ 

 {Tamias striatus lysteri) within a few miles of old Fort Ticonderoga and on the rocky 

 side hill behind the town of Whitehall. Of these a very large percentage — I think 

 fully one-half — were infested with " wabbles " (Cuterebrse). More females than males 

 were thus afflicted. The "wabbles" were usuallj' situated near the median line, and 

 anywhere from the umbilical region to the genitals. In a few cases they were in the 

 axilla, and in one or two instances in tbe upper part of the foreleg. In a number of 

 individuals two Cuterebne were found and in a few cases as many as three. 



Dr. A. K. Fisher tells me that he collected a number of Chipmunks about the south 

 end of Lake George, Warren County, N. Y., during the latter part of August and 

 first of September, 1882, a considerable proportion of which were infested with 

 Cuterebrse. As many as three were found, in diiferent stages of development, in one 

 animal. A Gray Squirrel killed at Sing Sing, Westchester County, N. Y., contained a 

 Cuterebra in the left pectoral region. 

 Respectfully, 



C. Haut Merriam, 



OrniihoJogist. 



It is very possible that tbe larvae of more than one species of the 

 genus Cuterebra were concerned in tbe cases noticed by Drs. Merriam 

 and Fisher, but tbis point can not be decided at the present time. 

 14174— No. 7 2 



