CHAPTER X. 
Order Mallophaga (Mal-loph'a-ga). 
The Bird-lice. 
The members of this order are wingless parasitic insects , 
with biting mouth-parts. Their metamorphosis is incomplete. 
The name of the order is from two Greek words : mallos , 
wool; and phagein y to eat. Although some species infest 
sheep and goats, feeding upon their wool, by far the greater 
number live among the feathers of birds. It is due to this 
fact that the common name Bird-lice is applied to the entire 
group. 
The order includes several families; but we will not take 
the space to define them. 
The Bird-lice are well known to most people that have 
pet birds or who keep poultry. They differ from the true 
Lice in having biting mouth-parts, and in feeding upon 
either feathers, hair, or the skin; while the true Lice have 
sucking mouth-parts and feed upon blood. 
It is to free themselves from these pests that hens wallow 
in the dust. When poultry are kept in closed houses they 
should be provided with a “ dust-bath.” All poultry-houses 
should be cleaned at least twice a year, and the old straw 
burned. Sprinkling powdered sulphur in the nests and oiling 
the perches with kerosene will tend to keep the pests in 
check. If a poultry-house becomes badly infested, it should 
be cleaned thoroughly, and every part whitewashed ; and 
the poultry should be dusted with Buhach or Persian insect 
powder (Byrethrum). 
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