168 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



The bird flea is most commonly found tormenting 

 pigeons and more rarely attacks fowls. The dove- 

 cote bug closely resembles the ordinary bedbug, and 

 is thought by some to be identical with it. When 

 the pigeon and poultry -houses become infested with 

 this insect, it multiplies rapidly and is extremely 

 pernicious in its effects. The tick also lives in the 

 pigeon -cotes, and hides during the day in the cracks 

 and holes, coming out at night to attack the birds. 

 Young pigeons are the preferred victims, and so much 

 blood is taken from them that they die of exhaustion 

 in from ten to fifteen days. The older birds are 

 driven from their nests when sitting, and altogether 

 it may be said that pigeon raising becomes difficult or 

 impossible while these pests are allowed to remain. 

 They are found most frequently on the neck or be- 

 neath the breast, but may fasten themselves to the 

 skin of any part of the body. The mature females 

 are about one -fourth inch in length. These parasites 

 may wander a considerable distance, and are some- 

 times found in adjacent fowl -houses, and even in 

 dwelling-houses. They are said not to trouble fowls, 

 but as they sometimes bite children or even grown 

 people causing painful swellings, it would not be 

 surprising if it were found that they occasionally 

 also attack poultry. 



This tick lives a long time without food of any 

 kind, and it may subsist for generations on dead 

 organic matter. It is, therefore, a troublesome pest 

 to exterminate when it is once established on any 

 premises. 



The harvest bug is a minute red insect about one - 

 sixtieth of an inch long, which is common in some 

 sections in the Summer and Fall. It preferably at- 



