322 HEALTH, DISEASE AND ENEMIES 



adult birds. Crows will kill many chicks if they are out on 

 the range. The best way to get rid of either crows or hawks 

 is to use a shotgun. Sometimes they can be caught in steel 

 traps fastened to tall poles in the center of the plant. If a 

 hawk or crow is killed, it should be hung up somewhere 

 in the plant, as the sight of a dead bird will drive the others 

 away. 



Theft. Small and large poultry keepers alike are com- 

 pelled to protect themselves from thieves. There are always 

 plenty of unscrupulous persons who do not hesitate to steal 

 poultry. Therefore, fasten the poultry house door securely 

 with a padlock, and keep a well trained dog to insure pro- 

 tection. 



LABORATORY EXERCISES 



EXERCISE No. 83. Secure a few small glass vials about 

 two inches long and one-half an inch in diameter. Fill these 

 half full with a fifty per cent alcohol solution. Catch one 

 or more old hens and search about the body fluff for body 

 lice. When found they may be placed in the alcohol, a large 

 number in each bottle. The bottle should be labelled stat- 

 ing when and where the parasites were secured. Later, 

 after the alcohol has killed the insects, they may be examined 

 by the class with the aid of a small lens. 



EXERCISE No. 84. A Study of Red Mites. Red mites 

 may be secured in the same kind of a vial as described in 

 Exercise No. 83. When searching for the mites the most 

 likely place to find them is in cracks and crevices under the 

 perches. Where perches are attached to the wall is the best 

 place to search. After the specimens for study have been 

 secured the remaining lot should be covered with kerosene. 

 In a few hours a return visit will show the mass to be dead, 

 if the kerosene was thoroughly applied. 



EXERCISE No. 85. Treating Scaly Legs. Secure a bird 

 affected with scaly leg mite. Carefully treat the same as 

 described in the text. This work will occupy but a few 



