~4'2 SPARROW.
Derbyshire, had some white feathers in the wings, and a few elsewhere.
Another, a hen bird, was shot near Ipswich, Suffolk, of a dull white
colour below, and a light cream-colour above; and another in the
Butter Market in the same town, in October, 1850, with a dull white
head. Specimens of an unvaried blackish brown are sometimes met
with; some pure white; some cream-coloured. One with white wings
and a while tail; another with the head white, the tail white, the breast
grey mixed with the ordinary colour, and the back marked in the same
way; four white feathers in each wing. One white one had the red
eyes which are generally seen in albinos; and the late Mr. Thompson,
of Belfast, has recorded one in which the upper bill was nearly two
inches long, and slightly twisted to one side, turning also like that of
the Curlew.
Tin- plate is from a capital drawing by my friend the Rev. R. P.
Alington, Rector of Swinhope, Lincolnshire.
