1932 ] 
A Method for Collecting Ectoparasites 
29 
len, have been cleared of fleas with this method and it 
was also found to be very successful when tried out on 
Coatis, Nasua narica panamensis Allen, and grisons, 
Grison canaster (Nelson), many fleas and lice being ob- 
tained from these animals. 
When treating animals that have long thick hair or fur 
after taking them from the jar it is necessary to rub the 
hair briskly with the fingers or use a comb in order to re- 
move the inert fleas or lice that remain clinging to the 
hairs. 
This method is easily applied to birds and has proved to 
be very effective in clearing them of lice. The wings are 
brought up over the back and fastened together with two 
or three turns of a narrow bandage that is drawn up be- 
tween the feathers close to the wing. The feet are tied 
together with a piece of string or with a rubber band or 
they may be left free to allow the vapor more freely to 
reach the area between the thighs. After removing the 
bird from the jar it is held over a large piece of white 
paper and its feathers vigorously ruffled and drawn upward 
with the fingers to cause the stupefied lice to fall clear of 
the feathers. A tinamou, Tinamus major castaneiceps 
Salvadori, when treated in this way recently yielded 603 
lice, representing three genera, Conoides, Ornicholax and 
Kelloggia. A total of 176 lice, 122 Columbicola and 54 
Goniocotes, were obtained from a domestic pigeon. 
This method is now being used as a routine measure on all 
animals and birds received at this laboratory. The ease 
with which abundant yields of ectoparasites are obtained 
by its use leads me to believe that it may be extremely 
useful if used on a larger scale in clearing domestic fowls, 
dogs, etc., of fleas, lice and mites. Investigations on its 
application along more practical lines will be carried out 
in the future. 
The specimens of ectoparasites are in good condition and 
in much better shape to be studied when collected by this 
method and are seldom found partly crushed or with many 
spines or hairs broken off as so frequently occurs when 
collected with forceps or fingers. 
