38 
round worms {Ascaris ruhicunda, Schneider) averaging 
10 cm in length. In addition, the lungs of the reptile 
contained many blood red nematodes superficially re- 
sembling (but not) the intestinal round worms. I 
could find no mention in standard works of the latter 
worm. It is probably a new species. Dr. Fox con- 
siders this the only case he has seen this year in which 
the death seemed directly traceable to worms. 
Spiroptera Incerta. 
During the past year fifty parrots have been received 
(new arrivals) at the laboratory and subjected to the 
routine test for Spiroptera incerta. In no case were 
ova of the parasite found. This repeats our experience 
of last year — in fact we have never been able to con- 
demn a newly-arrived parrot. From this it would seem 
that the disease was introduced at one fell swoop — 
perhaps by a single infested bird — rather than inter- 
mittently. 
In last year's report five birds were listed as sole sur- 
vivors of the twenty condemned and isolated during 
the general eliminative process of the year previous. 
Of these one (Blue-fronted Amazon No. 116) has died 
this year and presented great numbers of worms at 
autopsy. The other four have, now, survived for more 
than two years since being first detected. Our records 
show that all four were very lightly infested. The sur- 
prising fact in connection with these birds is that ova 
can no longer be found in their droppings, using the 
same technique as used originally in their detection. 
This circumstance would confirm our opinion expressed 
previously 'Hhat only a part of the cases listed as ver- 
minous died as the result of spiropteriasis ; that the 
cases showing a few worms and not much tissue de- 
struction died from intercurrent disease," etc.* 
The worms have probably died out, passed through 
their span of life, just as we know that the human hook- 
worm may die out in seven years, and that the host 
* Fortieth Annual Report of this Society, page 44. 
