THE DISEASES OF PIGEONS. 187 



Canker is a peculiar growth that takes place from the mucous membrane lining 

 the mouth and throat. Sometimes it forms in large masses, that require to be 

 dissected away carefully. It is a troublesome disease to cure ; but the application 

 of powdered burnt alum, or a solid point of lunar caustic, after the removal of the 

 white diseased growth, is often effectual in removing the complaint. 



Pustules containing matter are said to be of common occurrence in the lofts 

 in Belgium; but we have never been troubled with them in our own cotes. 



Vebson. — Pigeons are infested with numerous parasites. Four distinct species 

 of lice are found upon them, the most common, and by far the most remarkable, 

 being the Lipeurus baculus, the feather-louse of fanciers. This, in the living bird, 



FEATHER LOUSE OF PIGEON {LipCUVUS haClllus) MAGNIFIED. 

 a Antenna of Mule, b Antenna of Female.] 



is generally found between the vanes or fibres of the feathers, for which habitation 

 its peculiarly elongated form particularly adapts it. Its body is dull yellow, its head 

 and chest being bright chestnut. The male and the female may be distinguished 

 by the form of their feelers, those of the male only being hooked. After death, 

 the feather-louse collects on the feathers on the head and neck, where it is some- 

 times found in large numbers. Pigeon fanciers do not regard it as injurious ; but 

 it must derive its sustenance from the body of the bird. There is also a small 

 mite, a species of Acarus, that during summer, in overcrowded dirty lofts, appears 

 to annoy the birds to a very great extent, infesting the cracks in the nests, 

 walls, and perches in countless thousands. A large tick, a species of Ixodes, as 

 large as a tare when full grown, is sometimes found on the birds. Its size is so 

 great that it may be observed through the feathers ; and, lastly, a peculiar flea, 

 the Pulex columbce, is often found in dirty lofts. 



Cleanliness is the great preventive of these pests. The lice and mites may be 

 destroyed by dusting sulphur under the feathers, or the Persian insect powder 

 may be used in the same manner. A little paraffin oil, or, still better, the more 

 volatile spirits known as vegetable or mineral turpentine, poured on the perches, 

 soon expels them ; and, in very bad cases, a single drop may be placed in the 

 feathers of the bird. 



