18 



low llie birds a (lusliug J)1ucl' and if the parasites are 

 very nmueroiis insect powder or sulphur should be 

 mixed with the dusi and when the fowls scratch and 

 burroiw in this i^owder it enters the spaces between the 

 feathers, reaches the skin and so obstructs the breath- 

 ing openings on the surface of the flea that it finds the 

 conditions very disagreeable and becoines stu])efied 

 and falls off or goes away. 

 Or insect powder can be 

 blown by means of a powder 

 gun or blower between the 

 feathers of the alflioted fowl. 

 It is also necessary to so 

 treat the roosting places, 

 nests and poultry houses 

 that the fleas will be either 

 destrojed or driven away, liecause if this is not done 

 they return to the birds as soon as the dust is shaken 

 from their feathers. Disinfection can be accomplished 

 by spraying the interior of the building with a solu- 

 tion of carbolic acid (one part to twenty parts of 

 water). Or a kerosene emulsion, such as is used for 

 spraying fruit trees, can be employed for the same pur- 

 l)ose. 



Head op the Chicken Flea. 

 Thirty times natural size. 



2. LTOE. 



Bird lice differ considerably from the ordinary lice 

 of haired animals. They do not suck blood as those 

 do and cannot, for they are proyided with a mouth 



