Evening star., 1947-06-30
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TraceUeH.
ARLINGTON, Va.

Lear oH
"Is there an albino robin?
II have heard of such, and have seen and
heard a bird with all the characteristics of
robin-size, shape, general cockinesS, with the
swift gait the sitting INSTALL STOP the
call--in fact, all the features of robin, except
that he is white where robin should be red
and there is some white about the neck
"It was year ago last spring that we first
saw such a bird about the yard for a day or
two; then in the fall, when the birds were
migrating, he showed up again. But he was
shy and we could never get too good look
at him.
Then this past spring he again came to the
yard, and we saw him about the neighborhood
for some time but not close. Just now how
ever, have not only seen him. I have heard
him, for it was his laugh that sent me to
the window to look it was so loud and clear
even for a robin.
And there he swung on the clothes line, a
dozen feet from the window, lord of all he
surveyed, and then down to the bird bath
But. unfortunately he had just settled himself
in the bath when somebody slammed a screen
door. and he was gone. Shall 1 see him again.
do you think?
81 am not confusing him with a young
light-colored bird-this one is definitely white
Maybe all this is not half so unusual to you
as 1t is to me, but 1 should be glad to read
your comment.
sincerely yours, A. E. B."
All species have albino specimens, now and
then, and our robin is no exception
Albino specimens, if complete, have red eyes
There are, however, many part-albino birds
and these may just have a white breast, or
white splashes on the wings and tail.
All must be called albinos, but the true albino
is completely white, and has the red eye char
acteristic of the type.
y len
wings and tail and part of the body She was
not genuine albino, but close enough.
At any rate, she was mighty fine bird She
was to be seen at the feeding station at all
hours, but never nested in the yard.
She reserved a neighbor's place across the
street for this. She had many fine children,
but only one of them had any white on him.
and he just little
Recently an albino sparrow fell out of nest
near large apartment house. The rescue and
care of this bird threw the great building in an
uproar for a time.
Some observers said other birds had pecked
it and pushed it out of the nest.
All living things resent difference 1t is not
confined to human beings 1t is said that the
all-white penguin is left to die by its parents
and none of the other father and mother
penguins will feed it.
"SPENCERVILLE Nd.
Dear Sir:
do you remember report about Percy
the curious phoebe? His story is now quite an
epic and includes the loss of his first nest
and flne eggs, and subsequent disappearance
of his mate for three weeks
To be brief however, we would like to relate
only the present happy state of affairs. Two
days ago. the Percys began feeding the young
birds in their nest directly over our front door.
The nest, built of mud. grass tsome of it
green and moss is on ledge OF not more than
2 inches, and hangs over its base full inches
To Us there seemed to be many more desirable
sites. but for Percy it was the front door where
he could have literally, birds eye view of
our living room directly inside So. for over
three weeks. front door traffic has been re-
routed and house painting has stopped at the
porch roof
The 5-year-old and the family dog have
been kept in the back yard, the front lawn
has had only a quick-soMrs. Percy-can- get
back to- her-eggs moving, and the sweet peas
still lack support.
This nest also contained five eggs. Whether
all Matched we do not know, since we prefer
not to disturb the Percys merely to satisfy
Our curiosity.
"A commotion at the wrens nest in crack
atop an old telephone pole provided today's
drama huge black snake had its head deep
inside the crack We frightened it away but
have no way of knowing whether or not IL
did any damage This snake has doubtless
been responsible for the loss of young birds
in four sparrows' nests 1.-TWO field, one song
and one chipping sparrow.
Since moving here in February We have
Identified 10 different kinds Of birds, all within
300 yards of our home.
Sincerely yours, r. B. NJ.