224 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
cyanic acid gas. No one application of any substance should be de- 
pended upon to kill all ticks, because of their ability to secrete them- 
selves, and because eggs secreted in cracks may escape destruction and 
hatch. 
In an infested flock, control measures must not be limited to the 
buildings, because first stage larvee remain attached to birds for 
days. To deal with these it may be quite sufficient to isolate the 
birds in other than the usual quarters, until the crop of larve be- 
come engorged and drop off. An application of kerosene and lard 
to the breast and underneath the wings will destroy larve. Dipping 
the birds in a 10 per cent solution of one of the coal tar dips is 
effective, but in general dipping is not recommended. 
Since ticks must crawl to the birds and do so only at night, suit- 
able isolation of the roosting perches is a valuable measure in pro- 
tecting birds. The construction of the roosting poles should be 
such as not to afford harboring places. The poles may be suspended 
from the ceiling by rods passing through cans of kerosene or sup- 
ported from beneath by a similar device. Such measures are ef- 
tective until the fluid becomes bridged over with dust or other ma- 
terial. 
Tick-proof construction. The secretive habits and resistance 
of ticks are such that the menace occasioned by them can effectively 
be met in the long run only by providing special building construc- 
tion. A poultry house built of painted corrugated iron or of gal- 
vanized iron over a framework of piping solves the tick problem. 
Cracks are reduced to a minimum and the extreme heat attained 
by the building during the daytime, is destructive to ticks. Fur- 
thermore, ticks may be destroyed by building a fire inside the build- 
ing, or by the use of a gasoline torch. Tick-proof perches and nests 
may be secured by setting the supports in vessels of kerosene. 
If it is not possible to provide all-metal construction, the wooden 
building should be put up with reference to avoiding cracks. In 
any event a shingle roof should be avoided. 
THE PIGEON TICK 
The pigeon tick (Argas reflexus) occurring in Europe is a species 
closely related to the fowl tick. It is somewhat rare in England, 
Germany and other northern countries. Its habits are similar to 
the fowl tick. This species is a serious pest of pigeons, while fowls, 
ducks and geese are also attacked. 
