DISEASED PARROTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20723, 17 November 1930, Page 5

DISEASED PARROTS.

THEFT FROM DOCTOR'S HOME. DANGKR OF CONTACT. I)r. Crichton Merrillees, of Die Victorian Jle.'illh Department, has reported to tho Melbourne police tliat seven shell parrots were stolen recently from an aviary at the rear of his hotiso at St. Kilda. lfe ' s perturbed, as the birds were convalescing from a disease which may be communicable to human beings. Some, time ago investigations were begun into a series of epidemics among caged parrots with a view to determining the cause and whether "the disease was communicable to human beings. At the same tims* it was hoped to prove definitely that there was no psittacosis in Victoria. A shipment of parrots was landed from Japan several months ago. Many of the birds were ill, and were subsequently in tho course of experiments, but a few survived. The stolen parrots were tho remainder of the shipment. Although they had practically recovered, it is thought that they may be carriers of the disease from which they were suffering. Strong endeavours are being made by the police to trace the parrots. Other birds with which the parrots come into contact are also likely to become affected.