97 Pheasants. 



time, and the birds be quickly placed in deep shade in a 

 cool place, and be given fresh cool water to drink, the 

 probability is that they will recover; but so long as they 

 remain exposed to the sun, there appears to be no chance 

 for them. This malady must not, however, be confounded 

 with froth, a totally different thing, in which, however, the 

 symptoms are at first somewhat similar. 



Under the circumstances it may be as well to describe 

 the latter affection now, so that by immediate comparison 

 the difference may be made more apparent. Froth, which 

 affects other game-birds besides pheasants, is due to the 

 larva of the Cuckoo Spit or Froghopper. The larva or grub 

 which produces the spit or spume upon grass and plants 

 when swallowed alive by pheasant chicks will kill them 

 in from four to six hours. The symptoms are, as 

 mentioned, similar to but not identical with those of 

 sunstroke. The larva passes alive into the crop, producing 

 irritation, and more or less fills them or causes them to 

 be filled by a secretion of sticky liquid. This and the 

 froth or spume from the grub enter the lungs, causing 

 congestion and suffocation. The Cuckoo Spit in this form, 

 particularly when young, is most dangerous to young 

 pheasant life ; but if killed by the chick in the process of 

 being swallowed is practically harmless. Once the birds 

 are dead it is easy to ascertain whether sunstroke or froth 

 has been the cause of death by an examination of the crop. 

 In the former case this is usually full, in the latter nearly 

 empty, and the presence of the larva it is rarely that 

 more than one is swallowed in the crop will be abundant 

 proof. 



The only thing that can be done is to provide any chicks 

 affected with supplies of fresh cold water, and offer them 

 every inducement to drink. 



When there occurs what is called sometimes a " heavy 



H 



