The method for egg counts is a modification of the Whitlock-Gordon technique for sheep strongyles and has been developed for low-plane infestations. It uses a three-gram faecal sample and an egg-counting slide of four 0.5-ml. cells. Satisfactory larval cultures are obtained by mixing dry, sterile cattle dung with the fresh faeces. A modified Baermann technique is used for recovering larvae from cultures.

Observations on parasitic gastro-enteritis of cattle are recorded with particular reference to its epidemiology under conditions existing in Queensland. The most important species of nematodes associated with this disease are Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia punctata, C. pectinata, and Bosicola radiatus. All of these are serious among dairy cattle, but only H. contortus, Bosicola radiatus, and rarely Bunostomum phlebotomum among beef cattle. Ostertagia ostertagi and Trichostrongylus urei are common, but occur in pathogenic numbers only occasionally. Strongyloides papillosus and Moniezia sp., probably M. benedeni, are also discussed. The incidence and prevalence of these parasites are recorded and also the age of the calf when infestation was first detected. Pathogenic infestations are for the most part confined to young cattle 3 to 24 months of age. In dairy cattle, the most susceptible age is from 4 to 12 months; in beef cattle, the majority of outbreaks occur a few months after weaning. Outbreaks are usually seen during the winter and early spring, although on occasion, losses may commence in the autumn and occur also in early summer. Seasonal fluctuations in the populations of these helminths were followed by means of regular faecal egg counts. It was usual for the egg count of each species to increase to a peak, then to decline fairly rapidly, and to remain on a low level during the remainder of the period the animals were under observation, i.e. up to 18 months of age. The ages at which these peaks occurred are recorded and their relationship to the season of birth of the host is discussed. The influence of temperature and rainfall on the prevalence of these helminths has been studied and some preliminary observations are recorded on the development and behaviour of their preparasitic stages in the dung pad. Evidence is brought forward to show that cattle develop a strong resistance to infestation during the first 18 months or so of life. In young animals this reaction depends on exposure to infestation and is somewhat specific in nature in so far as it may be manifested against one species, but populations of other species may continue to increase. Thus, most animals became resistant to infestation with Cooperia spp. at about five months of age, but not to H. contortus and the other species until several months later. This resistance is considered mainly responsible for the light infestations usual among adult cattle. It appears strongest against B. phlebotomum and weakest against H. contortus, which is the most common and prevalent species among adult animals. Outbreaks of parasitic gastro-enteritis are considered to occur under conditions of high larval prevalence and poor nutrition, when resistance against infestation fails to be effective.

The Pine marten is now mainly confined to the woodland and scrub areas of the mid‐western region of Ireland (west of the river Shannon between Sligo and Limerick), though it was much more widespread in the country as recently as 50 years ago. It is suggested that this major reduction in the species' range can be attributed primarily to the continual loss and fragmentation of established woodland habitat. This resulted in a greater susceptibility of the species to predator control programmes, which included extensive poisoning campaigns and trapping to protect game and livestock. The survey recorded localized expansions of the species' range to occupy recently established conifer plantations, mostly on upland peats.

No abstract

Observations are recorded on the habits and behaviour of wild adultA. amictus hilliandA. punctulatus farautiat Cairns, North Queensland, and of the two subspecies and intermediate forms ofA. punctulatusin New Guinea.The most important points determined, which bear on the control of adults ofA. punctulatus, are:—(1) Females disperse from the breeding area shortly after emergence. During the day, they are rarely found indoors in any numbers, but hide away in moist, sheltered places in the bush in the vicinity of the source of the blood-meal. Fertilisation of the female takes place here, and these diurnal resting places are vacated only for the purposes of feeding and oviposition.(2) Both before and after feeding, females rest on the walls, etc., of huts and houses, which they readily enter. There is some evidence that the normal flight is dose to the ground, and only comparatively small numbers enter houses built several feet off the ground.(3) Activity does not usually commence until just after dark, and the peak of abundance occurs in the early hours of the morning.(4) Females may disperse at least one mile from their breeding grounds in search of a blood-meal.(5) In New Guinea there is a distinct preference for the native.(6) WhilstA. pundulatus farautidoes not show any marked preference for man, animal or bird,A. pundulatus pundulatushas very definite androphilous tendencies.The habits ofA. amictus hilliare broadly similar to those ofA. pundulatus farauti, but differ in important details. It does not rest indoors during the day, but its favoured outdoor habitat awaits determination. Only a few females were found at Cairns in the bush diurnal resting places used byA. pundulatus farauti, whilst the large numbers observed on the breeding area were there for the purposes of oviposition. Fertilisation takes place in the breeding area, where the males remain. There also appears to be a different nocturnal periodicity from that observed forA. pundulatus farauti.An attempt was made to determine the ages of the females captured at night and during the day by means of the criteria of ovary development, wing condition, presence of blood and of spermatozoa. The interpretation of these criteria was assisted by observations on bredA. pundulatus pundulatus.