132 



REPORT 108^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



rabbits. Prosopodectes is limited to bats, and burrows in the tissues of the ears. 

 Caparinia occurs on a few wild animals, and Otodectes lives in the ears of dogs and 



cats; 0. cynotis Hering (figs. 272, 273) 

 has been taken in this country. Ani- 

 mals may be so tormented by these 

 parasites that they have convulsions 

 or fits. The purulent matter should 

 be carefully removed, and the ears 

 bathed and injected with olive oil con- 

 taining one-tenth part of naphthol. 



The genus Cnemidocoptes contains a 

 number of species that occur on various 

 birds, including poultry. Some live at 

 the base of the feathers, others produce 

 a crust of loosened tissue and dead skin 

 similar to that of Norwegian itch . They 

 may begin on the comb or skin of the 

 feet, but gradually spread down the neck 

 or up the legs. The species are all short 

 and broad, with short legs and with very 

 few hairs above, and these small. They 

 give birth to living six-legged larvae, 

 which, however, appear to have hatched 

 from eggs while in the body of the parent. 

 C. mutans Robin (fig. 274) is the itch 

 mite of domestic fowls, at times a very 

 serious pest. The disease it produces is 

 known as ' ' scaly leg, ' ' since the mites are 

 most abundant on the legs. The best 

 remedy is to soak the legs in warm soapy 

 water until the crusts are loosened; 

 then apply sulphur ointment. Bathing the affected portions in a solution of some coal- 

 tar creosote preparation is also a good remedy; the treatment should be repeated in a 



Fig. 272.- 



-Otodectes cynotis: Female, 

 illustration.) 



(Author's 



Fig. 273.— Otodectes cynotis: 

 Tip of male abdomen, 

 and hind legs. (Author's 

 illustration.) 



Fig. 274. 

 male. 



Cnc m idocoptfs m u ta ns: F e- 

 ( Author's illustration.) 



few days. Anotlier remedy is to dip the feet in a mixture of kerosene ( 1 part) and lin- 

 seed oil (2 parts). The infested fowls should be isolated until cured. Another species, 



