130 | IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
houses, the birds partaking in this respect of some of the bad traits 
of the European House Sparrow. .... 
‘* About twelve miles northeast of Suva and four miles off shore 
is situated the little island of Makuluva upon which is located the 
Government Quarantine Station. On this bit of disintegrated 
coral about eight acres in area where temporary quarters were 
established by us, Mynahs are common and a number were taken 
for specimens. The birds usually go about in small flocks and 
after once being shot at they become very wary and difficult of 
approach. When wounded they often fly some distance before 
coming down, sometimes alighting in the tops of the coconut palms 
where it is impossible to secure them. 
‘‘Although apparently successful in the struggle for existence 
the battle is not always in favor of the Mynahs for they too have 
their enemies among which may be mentioned man and certain 
parasites. The prevalence of parasitism and the extraordinary 
degree to which it may be developed is well illustrated by one 
Mynah taken on June 19, 1922, which served as host for the fol- 
lowing parasites: several thread worms between the conjunctiva 
and the cornea of the eye; both eyes were infested and more than 
a dozen worms each measuring from eight to ten mm. in length 
were taken from the two organs. Some of these worms have been 
submitted to Dr. B. H. Ransom, Chief of the Zoological Division 
of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of 
Agriculture, who pronounces them to be a species of Oxyspirura, 
probably new, and adds that the Mynah forms a new host for 
representatives of the genus. In addition to these parasites this 
bird bore two small owl flies and two small biting lice. Eggs of 
the latter were also discovered and probably other individuals of 
all three types of parasites escaped observation. Another bird 
examined contained a large round worm in the abdominal cavity. 
Other Mynahs were found to be infested with these parasites 
though none other examined was so markedly afflicted as the in- 
dividual above mentioned. 
‘‘Notwithstanding a considerable diversity among the major 
parasites attacking them and the presence of other natural and 
unnatural enemies these vigorous birds not only survive but even 
seem to increase. 
‘‘In conelusion, by way of summarizing, it may be stated that 
the factors which seem to contribute to the success of the Mynah 
when introduced into a new country are its audacity, hardihood, 
