PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 137 



They pasture on the, bodies of the fowls at night or 

 when the birds are on the nests laying or sitting. When 

 they have sucked supplies of blood through the skin of 



WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCK 

 Courtesy H. E. Mattocks 



the fowl they become red in color and are often called 

 "red spiders." After getting their fill of good bird's 

 blood these parasites retreat to their hiding places. 



In sultry summer weather, if not hindered, they pro- 



