50 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Nematodes. — Of the Nematodes present the greater number 

 by far belonged to the class Acanthocephala of the genus Echino- 

 rhynchus. 



The Echinorhynchus larva is found in such intermediate 

 hosts as the following : — (1) Amphipod (Gammarus pulex) ; 

 (2) Isopod (Ascellus aquaticus); (3) Beetles, Flaps, &c.. ; (4) Grubs 

 of Cockchafer. 



Observation. 



From this it is seen that the intermediate host is probably 

 one of the insects contained in the diet of the bird. 



The Echinorhynchus proportion to the other Nematodes found 

 was 4-1 ; Eound Worms to Thorn-headed Worms (Acantho- 

 cephala) as 1-4. 



Acanthocephala. — This group embraces a small series of para- 

 sites which in general appearance resemble the Nematode Eound 

 Worms. They differ, however, essentially in possessing scolices 

 covered with spines. 



They are destitute of digestive organs. The species are 

 entozoal in habit, abounding particularly in reptiles and fishes. 



The part table (p. 53) serves to show the method of treatment 

 in dissection, an attempt being made to show the contents of 

 stomach and the condition of the bird. The following abbrevia- 

 tions are used : — V. G. C. = Very good condition ; G. C. = Good 

 condition ; F. C.=Fair condition ; P. C. — Poor condition. 



Summary. 



A few words here will not be out of place upon the im- 

 portance of the relation of the diet of the bird to the bird 

 itself. W. P. Py craft, in his admirable little book on ' Bird 

 Life,' has a chapter on the "Foods of Birds," in which he 

 comments upon the following points. 



The Wrybill Plover has its bill turned sharply to one side to 

 enable it to pick out Crustacea from under the stones. This 

 fact at once confines the Wrybill Plover to a diet of Crustacea 

 for the greater part of its sustenance, and therefore whatever 

 parasites the Wrybill may have will no doubt be connected and 

 related to the diet of Crustacea. 



The South American Hoatzin has made its crop do the work 



