Starlings as Distributors of “Gapes.”

Abstract

(1) Of 482 starlings examined during the period November 1925 to February 1926, 169 were infested with the Gapeworm (S. trachealis): the percentage of infected birds being 35 per cent. This confirms the previous observations when the writer found 14 infected birds out of 38.(2) There is a suggestion of a gradual increase, towards March, in the percentage of starlings infected.(3) The average length of the gapeworm in starlings is much the same as the average length of the gapeworm of chickens.(4) Welsh names for gapes are given.(5) Gapes among chickens occurs in Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire from March to August; in young turkeys in May and June; and in adult turkeys and pheasants throughout the year.(6) Starlings, turkeys and pheasants act as a bridging, between November to March when few or no young chickens occur for the propagation and distribution of the gapeworm.(7) Cases are instanced of (a) a sudden outbreak of gapes among chickens kept in an area where no turkeys have been kept, (b) heavy losses among pheasants on an estate which starlings had previously frequented in very large flocks.(8) Owing to the higher percentage of infection and its wider migrations, the starling is here considered as a more effective distributor of the disease than turkeys. Other wild birds, such as pheasants, thrushes, rooks and jays, also play a part in spreading the gapeworm and the disease this worm causes.