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Another Outbreak of Fungus Disease in Gulls

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Another Outbreak of Fungus Disease in Gulls.-In the early part of January, 1947, John J. Barry and others of the field personnel of the California Division of Fish and Game reported deaths of gulls at Bixby Slough, Los Angeles County. Several of the dead birds, including Western Gulls (Larzrs occidentelis) and California Gulls (Larus calijorniczls), were sent to us for examination, The lungs and air sacs of all birds examined in the laboratory were infected with a fungus, Aspergillus sp., the causative organism of mycotic pneumonia in birds.

In January as many as 500 gulls were observed on one day at Bixby Slough. Losses were first first observed in the tirst week in January. On January 1Z at least I00 birds were seen in a weakened condition. They made no attempt. to fly when approached. In the course of the outbreak Barry counted 34 dead gulls and estimated that at least that many more were probably hidden in a dense tule growth. Both immature and adult birds were involved. A few of the birds showed evidence of being shot, but most of them had succumbed from the fungus infection. By January 28 the epizootic apparently had run its course since no further sick birds were observed.

In February, 1943, Herman and Bolander (Condor, 45, 1943:160-161) obtained a fungus-infected Gla*ucous-winged Gull from a pond in San Francisco. Mycotic pneumonia may be an important and widespread disease in gulls of the Pacific coast and the authors are desirous of obtaining further information on its incidence and distribution.-CAruToN M. HKKMAN and MKKTON N. Rosw,.Bzrreazc of Game Cowervation, California Division of Fish and Game, Berkeley, California, June 14, 1947.

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