
Mordlane 
was indicative of onset of toxic effect. i 
apprehensive, and excitable attitude of "DDT birds," these individuals were 
listless, slow to respond to stimuli, and remained huddled a good deal of 
the time. This characteristic inactivity was noted as early as the second 
day in the group on the 0.1 percent level of chlordane, and on the third 
day among those on the 0.05 percent diet. Toxaphene-fed quail exhibited 
almost the same symptoms beginning on the 3rd and lth day of feeding. In 
advanced stages of poisoning, and just prior to death, birds of the latter - 
group were observed to breathe heavily with frequent gasping, showed unco- 
ordinated movement, underwent spasms, and in the final stages, kicked 
Violently as they lay on their back. Evidence of alimentary irritation ano hae 

chlordane~ and toxaphene~fed birds was shown by very numerous white droppings 
in the pens. TDE and methoxychlor did not give rise to any behavior changes, 
and, as indicated above, was not lethal at the levels tested. 
Since previous studies have shown the pathological picture for DDT 
poisoning, no further postmortem examinations were conducted on birds dying 
as a result of poisoning with this material. However, most of the individuals 
which expired following medication with other insecticides were examined. In. 

these oss examinations no_irrefularities appeare j istency which 
j . However, in a high percentage of cases, both. 
the dane- and toxaphene-fed birds showed extens} itis and congestion 
of the kidneys and heart. Extreme emaciation istic of all victi 
held on these diets, as well as those fed sub-acute amounts of parathion. 
Summary 
The comparative toxicity for bobwhite quail of several new insecticides 
was determined by feeding tests. When incorporated in the diet in amounts 
equivalent to 0.1 and 0.05 percent, several common insecticides of the 
chlorinated hydrocarbon group showed the following decreasing order of 
toxicity: chlordane, toxaphene, DDI, benzene hexachloride, methoxychlor and 
TDE (Rhothane). At 0.1 percent concentration in the diet the three first- 
named compounds all produced a 100 percent kill in 16 days or less. The 
last two in the series (TDE and methoxychlor) produced no mortality over a 
32-day test period. Parathion, an organic phosphate insecticide, was tested 
at levels of 0.025 and 0.0125 percent. Mortality of test birds over a 37- 
day interval was 89 percent at the higher dosage and 50 percent at the lower 
level. 
Birds on chlordane and toxaphene diets suffered extreme weight losses 
which appeared to result from a marked aversion to diets containing these 
toxicants rather than from early toxic effects and inability to feed. Sub- 
sequent tests in which birds were provided a choice of treated and untreated 
feed showed that unadulterated food was used 10 to 11 times more abundantly 
than chlordane~ and toxaphene-treated diets. No such selection was shown in 
tests with DDT as birds used food mixtures containing this compound in the 
same degree as they did the untreated food. 
