EXTERNAL PARASITES OF BIRDS AND THE FAUNA OF BIRDS' NESTS. 1 IRENE D. DOBROSCKY. There have been comparatively few papers published on the parasites of birds. The work of the writer on this subject was carried on at Cornell University with material collected in the vicinity of Ithaca, New York. The external parasites of the birds examined were all Arthro-pods falling into three orders, Diptera, Mallophaga, and Siphonaptera. The dipterous parasites belong to the genus Protocalliphora of the Family Calliphoridae. The majority of Calliphorine flies are scavengers that live on decaying animal and vegetable matter. The genus Protocalliphora, however, is a small group of flies parasitic on young birds. The larvae are intermittent blood-sucking obligate parasites. There is some controversy as to whether they are confirmed ectoparasites or not. Bezzi ('22) states that the subcutaneous tumors caused by fly-larva? are in many cases erroneously attributed to the Proto-calliphora and that other Calliphorine flies may be the agents. Since the Protocalliphora are intermittent feeders it is impossible for them to become permanent ecto parasites. The nomeclature of this group is somewhat involved. In earlier literature the genus Protocalliphora is referred to under the names of Phormia and Protophormia. AviJiospita is a later synonym. There are at least five valid world species in this genus. In Europe there are two distinct species P. azurea Fallen and P. candea Robineau-Desvoidy. According to the studies of the writer based on larval and pupal forms, and on adults by R. C. Shannon, there are at least three distinct species in North America. These are P. splendida Macquart, P. avium, and P. hirudo (a Western form), the latter two described by Shannon and Dobroscky ('24). 1 The writer wishes to express her appreciation for help, suggestions, c ooper-ation and determinations to Dr. R. Matheson, Dr. O. A. Johannsen, Dr. J. Beq uaert, Dr. W. T. M. Forbes. Professor G. W. Herrick. C. R. Crosby, R. C. Shannon, J. W. Folsom, F. C. Fletcher. H. Good, C. H. Curran, L. S. West, J. R. Mallock, H. C. Huckett, and to the numerous persons who aided in collecting the birds' nests. 274
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