Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

pearance of a friend or the destruction
of some familiar landmark.
The albino bluebird that used to live
in the neighborhood of Franklin Park
was another lusus naturae that was a
familiar sight for several years to
pedestrians in the vicinity, as well as
to the summer loungers in the park.
This was an almost pure alblno, but
bluebird, just the same, as a number
of naturalists. actual as well as anna
teur, were able to attest. Summer be-
fore last, however, this albino fell
victim to a prowling cat, the fellne's
owner arriving on the scene, in
back yard of one of the houses across
K street from the park, just as the
cat was completing meal on the poor
little freak. Only few white feathers
remained, and since that time no al
bino bluebird or other feathered albfno
has been seen about Franklin Park.
Last spring pair of Baltimore
orioles built one of their peculiar
pouchlike swinging nests in a big
elm tree in Washington Circle. The
female of the pair was so light colored
as to be almost an albino, and one of
the young birds that was Matched was
even lighter in color when it attained
its full suit of piumage. The male
bird was colored as brilliantly as any
other oriole, and the contrast between
the two parent birds attracted a great
deal of attention among persons in
the neighborhood of the circle These
birds, as is the habit with orioles, de-
parted for the south several weeks
ago. AS the albino of the pair had
never been observed in or about Wash
ington Circle before last spring, resi-
dents of the vicinity are wondering if
she will return next year to last
springs nesting place. AS orioles have
never been noted for domestic fidelity.
however, it is hardly likely this one
will come back, though persons living
near the circle will watch, when the
birds come north from their winters
sojourn in warmer climes, to see if
Mrs, Albino-or should it be Albina-
Oriole resumes housekeeping in the
neighborhood she selected for her 1914
stay in the National Capital.
From time to time albinos of other
sbecies of birds have been observed in
and about Washington. The albino
bluejay that used to live in the grounds
of the Department of Agriculture was
one of these. This albino, as did the
white bluebird of Franklin Park, fell
victim to the claws and teeth of a
proving cat after having been OBJ
served for at least three years in and
about the Agricultural Department
grounds. Albino robins and albino and
near albino-bla ckbirds. as well as at
lease one albino crow, have been noted
at various times in the Soldiers Home
grounds, and last winter several albino
snow buntings were seen in Takoma
Park. In the latter case, however.
there was some doubt as to the birds
being real albinos. as 1t is said that
snow buntings-which are the alert lit
tie dark gray birds usually called
infrequently put on a
white suit for winter wear, and this
may have been the case with the Ia
koma Park albinos.
Considering the fact that the District
has a bird population not exceeded by
any other part of the United States
indeed, the bird census recently taken
by the Department Of Agriculture
showed that the center Of bird popula-
ton of the United States is located in
Chevy Chase-and the fact that al
binoism is. while by no means common.