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Helminth Parasites of Hertfordshire Birds—IV Survey Results*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

D. F. Mettrick
Affiliation:
From the Department of Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Extract

During the survey 571 birds, representing 22 species were examined. Of the birds examined 396 (69·3%) were found to be infected with helminths, and of those infected birds 87. (21·9%) contained trematodes, 276 (69·7%) contained cestodes, 105 (26·5%) contained acanthocephala, and 146 (36·9%) contained nematodes.

Cestodes were found in 18 (81·8%) of the species of birds examined, nematodes in 10 (45·4%), trematodes in 9 (40·9%) and acanthocephala in 7 (31·7%).

The maximum helminth infections of all the bird species examined occurred in the spring. Nestling corvids, with one exception, were not infected with cestodes, but nestling turdids were heavily infected. Fledgling corvids also differed considerably as regards cestode infection. Magpies were 100% infected, jackdaws 35%, and rooks 20% infected.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1960

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References

Clapham, P. A., 1940.—“On wild birds as transmitters of helminth parasites to domestic fowls”. J. Helminth. 18, 39—44. (W.L. 11224c).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, E. A., 1925.—“Starlings as distributors of gapes”. J. Helminth. 3, 81—82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mettrick, D. F., 1958.—“Helminth Parasites of Hertfordshire Birds. I. Trematoda”. J. Helminth,. 32, 49—64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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