CHAPTER X. 



Order Mallophaga (Mal-loph'a-ga). 



The Bird-lice. 



The members of this order are wingless parasitic insects, 

 with biting mouth-parts. Their metamorphosis is incomplete. 



The name of the order is from two Greek words : mallos, 

 wool ; and phagein, to eat. Although some species infest 

 sheep and goats, feeding upon their wool, by far the greater 

 number live among the feathers of birds. It is due to this 

 fact that the common name Bird-lice is applied to the entire 

 group. 



The order includes several families; but we will not take 

 the space to define them. 



The Bird-lice are well known to most people that have 

 pet birds or who keep poultry. They differ from the true 

 Lice in having biting mouth-parts, and in feeding upon 

 either feathers, hair, or the skin ; while the true Lice have 

 sucking mouth-parts and feed upon blood. 



It is to free themselves from these pests that hens wallow 

 in the dust. When poultry are kept in closed houses they 

 should be provided with a " dust-bath." All poultry-houses 

 should be cleaned at least twice a year, and the old straw- 

 burned. Sprinkling powdered sulphur in the nests and oiling 

 the perches with kerosene will tend to keep the pests in 

 check. If a poultry-house becomes badly infested, it should 

 be cleaned thoroughly, and every part whitewashed ; and 

 the poultry should be dusted with Buhach or Persian insect 

 powder (Pj/rethrum). 



