PARASITES 483 



Parasites. 



Hawks are subject to three parasitical insects, and 

 they often prove very troublesome to them. 



The first is a kind of flying tick, similar to those on 

 swallows, young black-game, etc. Merlins alone are 

 most subject to them after they have left the nest, but 

 as soon as they begin to bathe they leave them. They 

 most probably come from the ground, the merlin 

 breeding on it. 



All hawks, passage-hawks and hobbies especially, 

 are subject to lice. These may be got rid of by means 

 of a strong decoction of tobacco-water, which, after it 

 is strained, should be supplemented by a similar 

 quantity of brandy or other spirit, the head, neck, and 

 shoulders of the bird being well dressed by means of a 

 camel's-hair brush dipped in the liquid. If one dressing 

 is not sufficient it may be repeated. Regular bathing 

 is the best preventive. 



The third and worst parasite is a species of acarus, 

 which first appears in the nares of the bird, and burrows 

 into them, and also into the eyelids. If these are not 

 speedily eradicated, they will rapidly cover the whole 

 body of the bird. Merlins are more subject to them 

 than falcons ; but where one hawk is affected, all the 

 others near it will soon suffer in like manner. If the 

 nares appear at all sore they must be well washed out 

 with the same mixture as recommended for lice, a 

 smaller brush being used for the purpose, and thrust 

 well into them. They should also be carefully examined, 

 in order to detect the presence of any small, dark-red 

 mites. If these are visible daily attention must be 

 given, the nares and eyelids being frequently washed, 



