68 



POULTRY DISEASES 



Treatment. — Blow pyrethrum into the feathers. Use only 

 the best grade powder. Repeat this treatment every three 

 days till the bird is free from parasites. Disinfect the cage 

 with a two per cent solution of nny standardized coal tHv dis- 

 infectant dip. 



THE CANARY MITE 



The canary mite is a small spider-like parasite scarcely 

 visible to the unaided eve. Normallv it is whitish in color 

 ])ut when fully engorged with blood is a bright red. It lives 

 by sucking blood from its host. These mites are usually not 

 found on the birds during the day but make their attacks at 



Fig. 24. Lipeurus 

 Baculus. 

 A, moutli parts; T>, 

 antennoe ; C, legs; 

 drawing to right of 

 head indicates actual 

 size. 



F'iG. 25. Eggs or 

 n'.tt of the goniodes 

 Stylifer (greatly 

 magnified). 



A, egg cemented 

 to the barbs of the 

 feather. 



night. They may be found in clusters in the slits of the 

 end of the perch poles, or around the metal supports, or, in 

 wooden cages, they may hide in crevices. They multiply very 

 rapidly and myriads soon produce a serious condition of the 

 bird. 



Treatment. — The treatment consists of the same inoasures 

 as outlined under the gray canary louse. 



LIFE HISTORY OF LICE 



The females of lice are slightly larger than the males. They lay 

 oval, white or whitish-yellow eggs (nits), and securely cement them 

 to the barbs of the feathers. This is illustrated in Fig. 25. When 

 the eggs hatch they break open at the end or a small cap is lifted 

 from the end, in much the manner that a chick escapes from the 

 egg. The young have much the same shape as the adults and are 

 ordinarily considerably lighter in color. The males are usually less 



