AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

The recent inauguration of conservation of wild life in North America has focussed the attention of zoologists on the breeding grounds of ducks and geese on this continent. In most instances these areas are situated in Canada and it is here that the problems concerning the health of these birds are important. It is fairly safe to say that the major infestations by internal parasites are contracted in the breeding grounds due to the tremendous numbers of birds congregated in a comparatively small area. This is undoubtedly the case when infestations are present in young birds. Although our knowledge of the trematode parasites of these birds has been considerably increased during late years, by many publications in the United States, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the distribution of species. In order to make a contribution towards a further knowledge of the internal parasites encountered in these birds a study of the parasites collected in eastern Canada during the general survey work of the Institute of Parasitology was made. The species described in this paper were unidentified specimens present in the collection of the above mentioned Institute during the winter of 1937-38.