Eugene:

Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis is a problem in the East, which is slowly
spreading West. Have a look at the following Cornell website:
http://birds.cornell.edu/hofi/

BTW, the house finches at my feeder are fine.

Mike

-----
Mike P. Gagel
Vancouver, BC
E-mail: mailto:hlthpro at home.com
Bird Links: http://members.home.net/hlthpro1/birding/


-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Eugene Kridler
Sent: Tuesday, 16 November 1999 17:50
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Pox in House Finches


A couple of persons with feeders are observing House Finches with pox
lesions in various places on their heads. Has anybody else found this
viral infection on Finches at their feeders. If so, what actions have
they taken to prevent the spread? Successful?

Pox and avian malaria brought in by introduced birds and transmitted to
many of the endemic birds of Hawaii by the mosquito (also introduced to
Hawaii) was one of the reasons causing the extinction of some species
there..

Eugene Kridler
Retired Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
951 E. Oak St.
Sequim, Wa. 98382