A report of 5 cases of psittacosis, one fatal, contracted by attendants from parrots recently imported from S. America and the W. Indies. The disease was first diagnosed as influenza. Sputum, filtered through a gradocol membrane, was suspended in [image]/50 phosphate buffer pH 7.6 in a conc. of 1 in 10. This suspension was injd. intraperitoneally into mice confirming psittacosis infection. Tissue sections from the fatal case fixed in Zenker formol and stained with toluidine-blue and eosin-orange showed clearly the psittacosis virus. It is believed that healthy birds may be carriers and that dried powdered excreta are especially responsible for transmission of the disease. In man the respiratory tract is the chief port of entry so every precaution should be taken to avoid breathing dust from cages. Hereafter at the London zoo a 3-months'' quarantine will be imposed on all new parrots. Special precautions of masks, goggles, rubber gloves, and free use of antiseptics will be taken when feeding the birds and cleaning their cages. Since influenza was reported on the ship bringing the birds, it is believed that other cases of psittacosis may have escaped detection through incorrect diagnosis.