anaesthetised with isoflurane in oxygen via a face mask and prepared for surgery. After induction and having reached an adequate surgical plane of anaesthesia, the face mask was removed and a 3·5 mm endotracheal tube was placed. The caseous material occupying the external ear canal was gradually retrieved in small fragments using fine-tipped curved forceps and a small Volkmann’s curette. Immediately after the completion of this procedure, a thorough visual examination of the external ear canal with the aid of an otoscope revealed complete removal of the caseous material. After this examination, however, it became apparent that the main mass which had been identified radiographically was located within the subcutaneous space outside the middle ear, thus necessitating surgical intervention. The surgical site of choice was within the vestibule, cranially to the external ear canal and just over the bulging mass. While the falcon was still under anaesthesia, a 10 mm incision was made over the skin lining the vestibule of the ear. Immediately below the incision a thin fibrous layer of tissue, presumably a capsule, was observed. This was incised, revealing a hard, pale yellow-brown mass composed of caseous material. This material was gradually removed in fragments using a small Volkmann’s curette and fine-tipped curved forceps (Fig 2). The last stage of removal of the caseous material involved the use of a 0°, 2·7 mm rigid endoscope (Olympus Keymed) to aid visualising complete removal of all the material, and a biopsy forceps (Olympus Keymed). The cavity was flushed repeatedly with a 1 per cent solution of marbofloxacin (Marbocyl; Vetoquinol) in sterile normal saline solution before closure. The incision was sutured with apposition simple interrupted stitches using 4/0 polypropylene monofilament non-absorbable suturing material (Prolene; Ethicon) FIG 1: Lateral radiograph of the head of the saker falcon (Falco cherrug) showing a relatively large radiodense mass (arrows) on the caudal lower left side of the head