THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 281 



nyssus Avium in Dr. Lankester's translation of the work I 

 have mentioned ('The Manual of Animal and Vegetable 

 Parasites,' by Fredrich Riichenraeister, vol. ii. ; published by 

 the Sydenham Society). The figure accurately represents 

 the species usually found in bird-cages, with the exception 

 that it differs in the length of the legs, but perhaps I 

 have only seen immature specimens. The description of its 

 habits coincides almost exactly with that given in your last 

 number. This author and several other German writers 

 think that this mite has occasionally, under certain conditions, 

 been found parasitic upon the human body ; and this is a point 

 on which I have sought, in vain, for further information. — 

 Henry Charles Lang; University College, London, March 

 14, 1871. 



[I have also been favoured with the following cutting from 

 the 'Field' newspaper, of the 23rd of August, 1862. — Edward 

 Newman.^ 



Parasites on Canaries. — In rooms birds ought to be more 

 free from vermin than those bred in cages, simply because 

 there are^less haunts for the vermin than in cages, especially 

 where there is much wood-work; and it gives the birds a 

 better chance of ridding themselves of the pests by bathing 

 and exercise. But in breeding seasons the nests are the 

 principal haunts for the bug, owing to the young being 

 in them. This shows the necessity of strict attention in 

 supplying fresh nests. I always make a practice to give a clean 

 one a day before hatching, and another in five or six days 

 after. When giving the fresh nests dust them with the 

 insect-powder, which 1 have adopted for years. I use both 

 boxes and baskets, and to every fresh one 1 apply (before 

 making the nest) inside train-oil, but, of course, not in any 

 quantity to injure the old birds. This oil 1 have found 

 of rriore service than anything else I ever used. At the 

 commencement of the breeding season 1 make a mixture 

 of camphor (dissolved in spirit of wine), turpentine and soft- 

 soap, and dress all joints and crevices with a brush. Apply 

 the oil to the ends of the perches. A solution of camphor, 

 spirit of wine and turpentine may be used during the season, 

 because it will easily find its way into the smallest crevice ; 

 but I find that when the wood has absorbed it the vermin 

 will haunt there again. The solution is, for the time, deadly ; 



